“Go Hawkeyes!” The forever-Iowa girl seems to not follow her own words anymore. After a remarkable 2024 season that saw Caitlin Clark dominate the league and shatter records, her journey has unfortunately drawn a curtain. Although her playing days are temporarily at a halt right now, her love for the game, and for life, has given her a new responsibility. The 22-year-old has traded her Fever jersey for a new role that is of a supporting girlfriend.

In a recent post on X by the ‘Butler Basketball Guru’, Clark can be seen sitting on Butler University’s basketball courtside while donning her ‘masking’ white cap. It took no time to speculate that the point guard was present to support her boyfriend Connor McCaffery who has recently joined the men’s basketball team at Butler as an assistant coach.

The most surprising factor in her recent presence at the open practice is that she hasn’t visited her old team, the Iowa Hawkeyes, in a long time. This is despite her distanced support for the Jan Jensen-led team by saying, “Go Hawkeyes,” in many postgame pressers.

She and her boyfriend have a connection through basketball and the University of Iowa. The 22-year-old was a standout point guard for the Iowa Hawkeye’s women’s basketball team whereas her boyfriend was the son of the coach of the men’s basketball team Fran McCaffery and also played for the same team. This recent change in Clark’s behavior has been noticed widely by the WNBA community.

But one thing is for sure, the Bulldogs, under the guidance of head coach Thad Matta and his staff, including McCaffery, are benefiting from Clark’s courtside presence. Being teammates with one of the game’s great scorers, Butler’s players are receiving an unrivaled amount of motivation. From being a child in a small Iowa town, Clark turned into a popular celebrity, signaling the enormous virtue of tenacity and consistency. Thanks to having her, the Bulldogs are aware that big successes are possible for individuals who can think big and execute well.

Caitlin Clark’s journey from season heartbreak to Butler University supporter exemplifies the resilience and adaptability of a true champion. Her unwavering support for Connor McCaffery’s coaching career at Butler not only strengthens their bond but also enriches the Bulldogs’ basketball program. However, the young point guard has given fans an outlook on what she’s going to do next.

Caitlin Clark reveals her plans for the offseason

The reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, as per Shams Charania, had announced after her team’s loss against the Connecticut Sun that she would be taking a break from basketball. After the team’s defeat on Wednesday, commentator Ryan Ruocco confirmed that she has clarified that she will not be playing offseason basketball, at least for this year.

Moreover, Clark also shared that she has not planned what she’s going to do next but has a different sport in mind. “I was focused on beating the Connecticut Sun, I haven’t thought too far down the line. I don’t know what I’m gonna do tomorrow. I’m gonna play some golf. That’s what I’m gonna do until it becomes too cold in Indiana. I’ll become a professional golfer,” said Calrk.

The reason given by Clark for this small hiatus is that she wants to take some time off to process all the events that she was a part of this year. “There were a lot of things that this group accomplished that a lot of people probably didn’t think was possible,” said Clark as per ESPN. While Clark did not specify a timeline for her return to the court, her decision to take a break has caught many fans by surprise.

It is quite understandable why. The Des Moines native has been consistently playing basketball since September last year, trying to push her teams, first the Hawkeyes and then the Fever. However, the physical and mental toll of playing at the highest level can be demanding, and it is clear that Clark is prioritizing her well-being. Hopefully, the Caitlin Clark fans will have some insider scoop coming their way every now and then.