What you need to know
Connor McCaffery is a big fan of Caitlin Clarke.
On Thursday, Jan. 22, the 27-year-old college basketball coach and former player celebrated the WNBA star’s 24th birthday.
“Congratulations on your 24th CC,” he began, adding a black heart emoji to his Instagram tribute.
One photo he posted was of a couple smiling while spending a night out together.
“It’s an honor to celebrate you and we’re so grateful for the laughter and joy you bring to our daily lives ♾️ 2026 has so much in store for you,” McCaffrey concluded with, “I love you.”
Clarke also shared the image to her Instagram Stories, commenting, “I love you,” adding a fiery red heart emoji.
Like the Indiana Fever guard, McCaffrey also played basketball at the University of Iowa.
McCaffery’s college career ended in 2023 when he graduated from Iowa State with a bachelor’s degree in finance and political science. He then began working as a team assistant for the NBA’s Indiana Pacers before attending Butler University in Indianapolis.
He and Clark began dating in April 2023, and confirmed their relationship via social media in August of the same year, when Clark shared two photos of the couple on his Instagram carousel with the caption, “The best end of summer.”
The photo showed the two smiling as they spent time together on a boat.
He then made his red carpet debut in October 2024 at the Golden Gala fundraiser to benefit the Indiana Pacers Foundation. For the special occasion, Clark wore a strapless, skintight black dress, while McCaffery, the son of University of Iowa head basketball coach Fran McCaffery, wore a suit.
Clark and McCaffrey regularly support each other on social media. In September 2024, Clark cheered him on as he joined Butler University’s men’s basketball coaching staff.
Connor McCaffery/Instagram
“Yay!! So congratulations,” Clark wrote on Instagram after sharing the big news online.
McCaffery always dedicates a birthday post to someone special every year.
“Congratulations on your 23rd CC ❤️ (Finally celebrating together this year 🥹)! You have an amazing ability to inspire and uplift those around you. I’m lucky to learn from you. Thank you for always being you 🤞🏼 I love you 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼,” he wrote in 2025, adding a few lovely photos of them together.
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On her 27th birthday in July 2025, Clark returned the love with a heartfelt message of her own.
“Happy Happy Happy Birthday Con🥳, you make every day better and I can’t thank you more. May this year be the best ever, I love you,” she captioned the Instagram carousel.
