Bueckers and Clark were the No. 1 and No. 4 overall recruits, respectively, in the 2020 recruiting class, and they had shared the college spotlight for three seasons before Clark left for the pros.

And while few would blame Bueckers for feeling one-upped by Clark for most of her time at UConn, the Wings’ rookie recently admitted in an interview with TIME that she no longer feels like she’s living in Clark’s shadow as she transitions to the WNBA.

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) controls the ball against Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the 2024 women’s Final Four. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“The ability to not run a race in comparison, to run my own race and worry about that. Caitlin’s a phenomenal player. We’re also completely different players.”

While Bueckers may no longer feel the pressure of trying to match Clark stride-for-stride, that doesn’t mean fans and analysts will stop comparing the two.

Paige Bueckers poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Clark broke WNBA, rookie and Fever franchise records, as well as ratings, attendance and merchandise sales records during her debut season en route to a near-unanimous Rookie of the Year win.

Whether she wants to admit it or not, some will be expect Bueckers to make a similar impact with the Wings, and others will likely judge her production and success against Clark’s rookie season — though that seems like a challenge Bueckers is ready to embrace.

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“Pitting the two most recent No. 1 draft picks against each other is good for the game,” Bueckers added. “At the end of the day, I don’t think either of us really cares about it, because we’re just trying to be the best versions of ourselves.”