When Caitlin Clark steps onto the basketball court, spectators find it impossible to divert their attention elsewhere.
This is due to the remarkable streak of record-breaking performances she's delivering in NCAA basketball while representing the Iowa Hawkeyes. On February 15, the 22-year-old guard secured her position as the women's career scoring leader, and shortly thereafter, she shattered yet another record by surpassing the all-time points record held by any NCAA Division I player, irrespective of gender.
However, amidst her ascent to becoming the standout figure in college basketball, Clark has one dedicated supporter who closely follows her both on and off the court – her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery.
Following Iowa's victory over LSU on April 1, which secured their place in the 2024 Final Four, McCaffery took to Instagram to reshare an ESPN graphic featuring Clark, accompanied by the caption, "Out of words for this 1."
Curious to know more about him? Keep reading to discover all there is to know about the individual who has been steadfastly supporting Clark as she etches her name into basketball history.
He has a famous father
Connor McCaffery is the offspring of Fran McCaffery, who has served as the head coach of the men's basketball team at the University of Iowa since 2010.
In a unique twist, Fran McCaffery also had the opportunity to coach his own son during Connor's tenure with the Hawkeyes.
He was a double threat for the Hawkeyes
Besides his basketball commitments under his father's coaching, Connor McCaffery also showcased his talents on the diamond as a member of the Hawkeyes baseball team. Balancing both sports was a formidable challenge for him, given his dedication to each.
Rick Heller, the head coach of the University of Iowa's baseball team, expressed admiration for McCaffery's potential on the baseball field. However, he acknowledged the immense difficulty of transitioning from the physicality of Power Five basketball in the Big Ten, where players endure intense competition and physical play, to joining the baseball team mid-season and immediately performing at a high level.
A change of Pace(rs)
Following his graduation from the University of Iowa in 2023, McCaffery embarked on a career journey with the Indiana Pacers, where he currently serves as a team assistant.
Speaking to the Des Moines Register about his new role, McCaffery outlined his responsibilities: "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. It’s kind of all-hands on deck, whatever you’re asked to do, be ready to do it."
For McCaffery, this career move represents a strategic step towards potentially following in his father's coaching footsteps. "It’s a way in," he remarked. "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
Although the specifics of their relationship's origins and timeline remain undisclosed, Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery made their relationship public on Instagram in August 2023. Clark shared a series of photos depicting the couple snuggled together on a boat, marking their debut as a couple on social media.
He chose to feature her on his Instagram on January 22nd, which also happens to be Clark's birthday.
"Happy 22nd Birthday," he penned, acknowledging her age and the jersey number she wears. "I wish I could be there to mark this occasion with you — you truly deserve the most wonderful day ❤️ Your Golden Birthday and Taylor Swift year are bound to be phenomenal. Despite all you've achieved already, there's still so much greatness awaiting you. I hold the utmost admiration for you in every aspect, and my love for you knows no bounds."
Their height difference
Standing at 6 feet tall, Clark surpasses the height of most women, particularly those who aren't involved in basketball.
However, her boyfriend, McCaffery, who is 25 years old, dwarfs her in comparison. He looms over her with a towering height that exceeds hers by 6 inches.
She’s not the only Hawkeye he’s rooting for
Connor McCaffery's younger brother and former teammate, 24-year-old Patrick McCaffery, remains an integral part of the Hawkeyes men's basketball team.