Heading into the off-season, Caitlin Clark had already announced that she was ready to step away from the basketball court for a while. Her plan? To focus on her close friendships and savor some well-deserved downtime. While she has already been embracing this break by spending quality time with her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, and hitting the golf course, she recently added another must-do activity—visiting her alma mater, just a five-hour drive from Indiana. Joined by former teammates, including Kate Martin, Caitlin’s trip back to school was more than just a nostalgic visit; it felt like a celebration.

Social media is buzzing with glimpses of her reunion, capturing how Clark cherishes her Iowa days. One post on X perfectly encapsulated this vibe with a side-by-side comparison. On the left, a photo from Iowa’s Final Four run shows Caitlin and Kate Martin lounging on their respective beds. The right photo, taken during Caitlin’s recent Iowa visit, captures the two teammates sharing a room again, echoing their unforgettable journey together. The tweet read, “caitlin & kate during the final 4 vs now”

After four incredible years sharing the court in Hawkeyes jerseys, Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin have built a legacy together, leading Iowa to consecutive finals. But their recent return to Iowa was more than a trip down memory lane—it was a celebration of their achievements.

On Saturday, the pair joined Iowa athletics royalty for a special honor as the 2023-24 Hawkeyes women’s basketball team gathered to commemorate their Final Four journey. The team received stunning rings to mark their 2024 Big Ten championship win and thrilling Final Four run in the NCAA tournament. Clark was later photographed showing off those rings on her fingers, with a tweet sharing her picture captioned, “caitlin with her big 10 championship rings 🙂‍↕️💍”

The celebrations took place before Iowa football took on Northwestern on Saturday afternoon, as Clark and her teammates joined in a heartwarming moment with the Hawkeyes’ Kid Captain. The squad, which led Iowa to back-to-back championship games in 2023 and 2024, was present alongside their former head coach, Lisa Bluder. This joyful celebration came just a day after Clark was spotted running across the court with a wide smile, enjoying Iowa’s practice session alongside her old teammates.

Caitlin Clark’s joyful return to Iowa

The Des Moines native’s recent trip to Iowa was her first in two months, her last visit being during the Olympic break. Her four seasons with the Hawkeyes were transformative, showcasing her talents on the national stage and leading Iowa to back-to-back finals. “I felt like I had done everything at Iowa that I possibly could, and we accomplished so many amazing things,” she shared after her departure.

Returning to the place where her basketball journey took off was pure joy for Caitlin Clark, as seen in clips shared from her visit. A recent Instagram reel captured the heart of the reunion, showing Clark with two of her closest friends from her Hawkeye days, Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall. The reel also featured current Iowa player Jada Gyamfi, who’s preparing for her junior season with the team. Gyamfi had even expressed her request to Clark to come back to Iowa and she didn’t disappoint her.

In another heartwarming clip, Fever star Caitlin Clark, proudly wearing her #22, was seen running across the court as the Iowa team practiced under head coach Jan Jensen. Jensen, who was an assistant coach during Clark’s college days, shares a close bond with the Hawkeye alum. The clip captures a touching moment as Clark shares a heartfelt side hug with Jensen, who seemed to be leading a drill session during Clark’s visit.

Following an intense WNBA season in which she led the Fever to their first playoff appearance in eight years, Caitlin Clark’s heartfelt return to Iowa was just what she needed. For Clark, it was a chance to unwind, relive her college glory, and soak in the joy of being back where it all began.