“Everyone on that team loves her. They are not jealous of her. They know how hard she works for it.” These words from Lisa Bluder capture the incredible impact Caitlin Clark had on her teammates during her time at Iowa. Now, after a standout rookie year in the WNBA that has only skyrocketed her popularity, Clark hasn’t lost sight of her roots. Despite her ascent to the professional stage, she continues to offer valuable advice to her college teammates as Hannah Stuelke recently shared that Clark still reaches out to guide her.

As the NCAA season approaches—just weeks away—teams are ramping up their training, and all eyes will be on how the Iowa Hawkeyes adapt without Caitlin Clark on their roster. In light of these changes, Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke recently sat down for an interview with CBS Sports to discuss the team’s upcoming challenges. During the conversation, she was also asked if she was still in touch with the rookie sensation now playing for the Indiana Fever.

Well, Stuelke didn’t hesitate to share that Clark has been a steady source of encouragement for her, offering consistent advice as they maintain their connection. “Yeah, she texts me like every other day just to make sure I’m in the gym and seriously, where else would I be? But yeah, I think, we just have such a good relationship and we like to keep it fun, so I think just staying in the gym, I guess,” said Stuelke.

Both the players shared two years at Iowa contributing to a team that made it to the NCAA Finals in consecutive seasons. Given Clark’s commitment to fitness, it’s no surprise that she emphasizes the importance of staying in the gym. Remarkably, despite facing intense physical challenges, she played every game during her rookie season. In 2022, Clark made a conscious effort to ramp up her training, dedicating herself to enhancing her fitness.

“She’s made strides over the year, but this [2022] is really where she made that biggest jump, because she was able to really dedicate the full summer to training,” said Lindsay Alexander, Clark’s strength and conditioning coach at Iowa. This was the year Clark committed herself fully to summer training, diving deep into her workouts and taking the weight room seriously. Her dedication not only transformed her performance but also set a strong example for her teammates, inspiring them to follow in her footsteps.

However, Clark has always been a passionate supporter of Stuelke from her college days and her advice reflects the strong bond they’ve built as teammates.

Caitlin Clark and Hannah Stuelke’s bond

“This is what Hannah is capable of every night. I think it’s just her confidence, believing in herself. I thought she made some big free throws,” the Fever’s No. 1 pick couldn’t hold back her admiration for Hannah Stuelke after a college game during her time at Iowa. Even as she transitioned to the WNBA, she has continued to cherish those old connections, showing that the bonds formed during her college days remain strong and significant.

When Stuelke recently shared some stunning photos from her shoot in preparation for the 2024-25 season, Clark was quick to chime in with her thoughts. The Fever rookie playfully commented, “Less photoshoots. More work💯 ya got me?” It was a lighthearted jab that perfectly captured their fun dynamic while also reminding Stuelke to keep her focus on the court.

Earlier, Stuelke shared her thoughts on playing alongside Clark, saying, “Caitlin’s really fun to play with and really easy to mesh with just because she’s always looking for what’s best for the team or she’ll see you when you’re open and you don’t even think you’re open.” As Stuelke gears up for the upcoming season, she’ll surely carry Clark’s advice and support with her. With Clark no longer on the roster, it’s time for Stuelke to step up her scoring game and take the lead for Iowa.