LOS ANGELES — Friendships among basketball players often form on and off the court, with players usually spending more time with each other than their own families. As such, relationships are bound to form, and that was the case for Aaliyah Nye and Sarah Ashlee Barker.

Both Nye and Barker played at Alabama under head coach Kristy Curry, and the two were instrumental in the Crimson Tide’s March Madness runs over the last few years. With how the two made their names as college stars, it only made sense for them to take the leap to the WNBA together.

And that is exactly what happened in the 2025 WNBA Draft as in the first round, the Los Angeles Sparks selected Barker with the No. 9 pick overall while the Las Vegas Aces used the No. 13 pick on Nye in the second round. Despite the two friends now playing on rival teams, both Nye and Barker shared how they had been able to maintain their friendship.

Speaking exclusively to Mirror U.S. Sports before Las Vegas’ 89-74 win over Los Angeles, Nye explained how she was approaching that particular game, especially with Barker on the other side of the court. “Yeah, so every time she’s in Vegas or if I’m here, we go out to eat,” the 22-year-old began.

“We just catch up on life outside of basketball. I really love S.A. [Sarah Ashlee]. She came in with me at Alabama too, so we’re pretty close. We just go out to eat sometimes.”

Having had numerous battles throughout the years, Nye understands and has intimate knowledge of how Barker is a competitor. That’s why whenever the two matchup in the WNBA – with the Aces having won two of the three meetings between the two teams so far this season – both put their friendship to the side in the name of competition.

“Yeah, I would say we probably want it both more, but honestly, I want to win. No matter who I’m going up against, I want to win,” Nye admitted. “But yeah, S.A., she’s a competitor too, so I know she wants to win too.”

In the Sparks and Aces’ most recent matchup on July 29, Nye scored three points on 1-of-4 shooting from the field in 10 minutes of action. Meanwhile, Barker registered a “DNP – CD,” a common occurrence for the Sparks rookie in recent weeks, as Los Angeles continues to tinker with lineups for a playoff push.

That said, the 23-year-old expressed gratitude for being able to play against her teammate at the pinnacle of women’s basketball. While they want to win at all costs, their friendship takes precedence.

“It’s one of those things that we’re both grateful and just super happy for each other that we both are on a team and both made it,” Barker said of her teammate of three seasons at Alabama.

“I think that’s the biggest thing. And then, obviously, like we’re such good friends, too, that just being able to, like last night we were able to catch up in my hometown. Not hometown, but where I’m playing.

“And so, it was a lot of fun just to be able to be with her and catch up. And then, obviously, her being in this arena for once. So, it’s really, really cool.”

The Sparks and Aces are set for one more matchup this season, with the two teams facing off in the final game of the year. And when the two teams face off, it goes without saying that both Barker and Nye will be battling as hard as they can.