I had the opportunity to witness a special moment at the Butler vs. Michigan basketball game on Monday. Caitlin Clark, the reigning WNBA rookie of the year, was in attendance to support her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, who is an assistant coach for the Butler Bulldogs. Joining her in the stands were Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers and his girlfriend, Jade Jones.
The game proved to be an exciting one, with the Bulldogs securing an 85-65 victory over the Western Michigan Broncos. Clark, who is currently in her WNBA offseason, has become a regular at Butler’s home games, often cheering on her boyfriend from the sidelines.
Haliburton, who had the day off from the Pacers’ schedule, also appeared to show his support. The Indiana-based athletes linked up to support one of their own, with Myles Turner, Haliburton’s Pacers teammate, also in attendance. “It was great to see Caitlin, Tyrese, and Jade all there supporting the Bulldogs,” said a fan in the crowd. “You could tell they were having a good time and really getting into the game.”
Connor McCaffery, the son of Iowa Hawkeyes coach Fran McCaffery, has been making a name for himself on the Butler coaching staff. He joined the team after previously working with the Indiana Pacers during the Summer League.
Clark’s boyfriend boasts a strong basketball background, as his mother Margaret was also a former collegiate basketball player at Notre Dame. The McCaffery family’s love for the sport is evident, and it’s no surprise that Clark has become a fixture at Butler’s games.
The WNBA star has been using her offseason to attend various basketball events in Indiana. Just the day before the Butler game, Clark was spotted courtside at the Pacers’ 132-121 home win against the Knicks, with McCaffery by her side.
Haliburton, who has developed a close bond with Clark since her WNBA draft, also made an appearance at the Pacers game. The All-Star guard had a tremendous night, scoring 35 points and dishing out 14 assists, a season-high in both categories.
On Monday, Clark once again demonstrated her support for Haliburton by joining him and his girlfriend, Jade Jones, in serving food at Haliburton’s “Come To Our House” season of dinner at Gainbridge FieldHouse. The event was a testament to the strong friendship between the Indiana-based athletes.
As the WNBA offseason continues, Clark has been making the most of her time, balancing her own commitments with the Indiana Fever and supporting her boyfriend’s coaching endeavors with the Bulldogs. Her presence at the games, alongside Haliburton and Jones, has certainly added to the excitement and celebrity atmosphere surrounding Butler basketball.
With the NCAA tournament around the corner, it will be intriguing to see if Clark and Haliburton continue to team up to cheer on McCaffery and the Bulldogs. Their growing bond and mutual support for each other’s pursuits have undoubtedly become a heartwarming storyline in the world of basketball.
As for Clark’s golfing adventures, she will soon be heading to Florida to compete in the LPGA’s Annika Invitational. While her focus may shift to the fairways, it’s clear that her heart remains firmly on the hardwood, cheering on her boyfriend and her fellow Indiana-based athletes.