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Caitlin Clark, already recognized as one of the standout players in women’s basketball, gained additional attention after a memorable exchange with Louisiana State University’s Angel Reese during the NCAA championship game in April 2023. The incident went viral, but Clark, despite her fame, limited her social media activity following the game. However, in the aftermath of the season, she capitalized on her visibility, securing a significant NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal with Gatorade. Clark also resumed regular online postings, unveiling her relationship with Connor McCaffery.
On August 21, 2023, Clark shared a heartfelt Instagram post, featuring three photos of her and McCaffery, marking their public announcement as a couple. The caption, “Best end to summer,” reflected their affectionate moments on a boat. McCaffery responded with “U CUTE” in the comments. Prior to this, Clark had hinted at the romance in response to McCaffery’s Instagram post from Paris in August 2023. The couple’s subsequent posts showcased their compatibility, both being part of the Hawkeyes basketball program.
Connor McCaffery, deeply rooted in the Iowa Hawkeyes due to his father Fran McCaffery’s role as the men’s basketball team head coach, joined the program in 2017. Initially a two-sport athlete in baseball and basketball, health issues led to a redshirted freshman year. Despite challenges in baseball, Connor’s basketball career flourished, and he emerged as a point guard for the Hawkeyes. Facing added scrutiny for playing under his father, he eventually transitioned to a coaching career, distancing himself from his dad’s influence.
In May 2023, Connor embarked on a coaching journey with the Indiana Pacers’ G-League team, aiming to learn outside his father’s shadow. Even with his departure from Iowa, Connor closely followed Clark’s career. His social media accounts, particularly Twitter, featured updates on both the Pacers and Clark’s on-court achievements. McCaffery showcased his support for Clark’s milestones, celebrating her historic achievement of crossing the 3,000 points barrier in NCAA history in December 2023.
McCaffery’s online presence reflected his admiration for Clark, addressing her as “My shoota!!!!!” in a November post. On Thanksgiving, he expressed gratitude for her in an Instagram Story. As Clark continued to make basketball history, McCaffery consistently shared his excitement on social media. From buzzer-beating game winners to general appreciation posts, McCaffery’s online presence became a platform to celebrate and support Caitlin Clark’s remarkable accomplishments on the court.