When Caitlin Clark is on the court, fans can’t look away.
That’s because of the Iowa Hawkeyes guard’s impressive record-breaking run in NCAA basketball. On March 3, the 22-year-old became smashed a major record, becoming the all-time leading scorer, male or female, in NCAA Division I hoops history.
While she’s busy transitioning from the biggest star in college basketball to the WNBA, Clark has one fan who’s been keeping a close eye on her off the court, too. That’s her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery.
The Indiana Fever player celebrated McCaffrey's birthday with a sweet Instagram post shared July 13.
Clark shared a series of four black-and-white photos, featuring the couple laughing, hugging on the basketball court, taking a mirror picture and posting for a selfie.
“Happy Birthday Con! Celebrating you is easy :) thankful to have someone as selfless and as loving as you in my life,” Clark wrote with a black heart emoji.
“May this be the year you finally find a way to outshoot me ;) Love you always,” she finished the caption with a teary-eyed and white heart emoji.
McCaffery had an endearing response to the birthday tribute, commenting, "And I’ll keep letting you win those shooting contests!!!!!"
Read on to learn all about the man who’s been by Clark’s side as she makes hoops history.
He has a famous father
Connor McCaffery is the son of Fran McCaffery, who’s worked as the men’s basketball head coach at the University of Iowa since 2010.
The senior McCaffery even coached his son during the younger McCaffery’s Hawkeyes career.
He was a double threat for the Hawkeyes
In addition to playing basketball under his dad, Connor McCaffery also played for the Hawkeyes baseball team, a feat that wasn’t easy to balance with his other passion.
Rick Heller, the University of Iowa’s baseball coach, raved about McCaffery’s potential at the plate, but noted to Hawk Central, “It’s just really hard for a guy to play Power Five basketball in the Big Ten, where it’s physical and you get beat up, then have to show up 20 games into the baseball season and be ready to go.”
A change of Pace(rs)
After graduating from the University of Iowa in 2023, McCaffery took a job with the Indiana Pacers, where he now works as a team assistant.
“I’ll play dummy defense, run the scout team, help coaches on film stuff, help on video projects if they need, scouting reports if they need,” he told the Des Moines Register of his career move. “It’s kind of all-hands on deck, whatever you’re asked to do, be ready to do it.”
What better way to carve out a path that could lead him to follow in his father’s coaching footsteps.
“It’s a way in,” he continued. “It’s an entry-level job. You’ve got to work hard and work your way up. That’s obviously what I want to do.”
Instagram official romance
While neither Clark nor McCaffery have publicly discussed how or exactly when they got together, the couple went Instagram official back in August 2023, when Clark shared a set of photos of the pair cuddled up on a boat.
“Best end to summer,” she wrote in the caption.
He waited until Jan. 22, Clark’s birthday, to feature her on his Instagram.
“Happy Birthday 22 🤞🏼🤍,” he wrote, referring both to her age and the number on her jersey. “Wish I was there to celebrate with you — you deserve the best day ❤️ Golden Bday / T Swift year will be the best yet. With all that you’ve already accomplished, there is so much more in store for you and your special self. I admire you in every way and I love you.”
Their height difference
At 6 feet tall, Clark is taller than most women, at least those who don’t play basketball.
But her 25-year-old beau towers over her. McCaffery stands 6 inches taller than his girlfriend.
She’s not the only Hawkeye he’s rooting for
Clark and Iowa defeated UConn on April 5 to punch their ticket to the NCAA women’s championship. Iowa’s faceoff against South Carolina on April 7, however, resulted in a tough 87-75 loss — but McCaffery had Clark’s back as he posted a photo of Clark to his Instagram story with a caption, “My GOAT @caitlinclark22.”
While Clark was the first draft pick at the 2024 WNBA draft, Connor McCaffery’s little brother and former teammate, 24-year-old Patrick McCaffery, is still a part of the Hawkeyes men’s basketball team.
McCaffery was by Clark’s side at the 2024 WNBA draft on April 15, where she was the top draft pick and selected first by the Indiana Fever. He reposted Clark’s Instagram story, which featured two sweet photos of the pair sitting side by side, with Clark’s caption: “my fav person in the world.”
And Clark’s top draft pick wasn’t the only thing McCaffery celebrated. A fan posted on X asking to see McCaffery’s reaction to Clark’s draft day outfit, a matching white Prada double satin skirt and shirt.
And Clark’s top draft pick wasn’t the only thing McCaffery celebrated. A fan posted on X asking to see McCaffery’s reaction to Clark’s draft day outfit, a matching white Prada double satin skirt and shirt.
McCaffery responded simply, with just three emoji: the shocked face, hand over mouth face and drooling face.
Clark saw his post, which she replied to with a single face holding back tears emoji.
The couple celebrated their 1-year anniversary in April 2024
On April 24, McCaffery celebrated his and Clark’s 1-year-anniversary with a sweet post.
“One year w the best 🫶🏼 doing life w u has been easy, and you never cease to amaze me,” he wrote on his Instagram. “can’t wait to watch u live out ur dreams in person 🤞🏼 love you.”
Clark also shared her own post on her Instagram.
“one year of the best mems w my fav person 🖤 you make everyday better and I can’t wait for many more adventures together… love you,” she wrote.
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