Caitlin Clark has well and truly become pro basketball’s newest superstar. But along with dropping logo threes and breaking scoring records, she’s also about maintaining those heartfelt connections with her roots. Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin are in her inner circle, but recent snaps reveal her bond with Iowa Hawkeyes’s new head coach, Jan Jensen. After taking over the team’s reins this year, Jensen seems to have gotten a nod from their star alumna, too. 

The Iowa reunion happened during a birthday celebration for Janie Jensen, Jan’s daughter. Jan took some heartwarming pictures to Instagram. A picture of CC and her daughter beaming and a group picture writing, “Fun night having some of out Hawks in town! Fun way to end Janie’s birthday, too.”

In another picture, Martin, Marshall, and Clark could be seen having fun with Janie. When asked what Iowa will miss the most about Caitlin Clark, Jan had said, “The ability to empower those around her.” CC has inspired everyone in her team to push themselves just that little bit harder. This proves her solid leadership, which makes her such a valuable asset.

When Clark played for the Hawkeyes, Jensen was the associate coach. After a 24-year tenure, she finally stepped up to lead the program following Lisa Bluder’s retirement. As the 22-year-old transitioned to the pros, they continued to share a playful bond. 

Caitlin Opens up about her trash talk with Jan Jensen

Caitlin had a few amusing anecdotes to share about her friendly trash talk with Jan during her senior year. She recounted while laughing, “I always give her cr-p and tell her to go shoot at practice and stuff, and she did the other day, and she shot this crazy weird hook shot thing that I’ve never seen in my life.”

“But coach Jay, like one of the best you know, players to ever play in our state as well. She’s a legend,” she added. Also, the Iowa HC is quite popular, as CC pointed out, “She’s way even more popular than even I am. You should see this woman’s phone; it’s incredible!”

While they often joke around, their mutual respect is evident. “But I think the thing about coach Jay is, you know, people love her to death. But it’s because of the person she is, and you know she’s given up a lot of head coaching opportunities to help this program get where it is,” the WNBA star expressed. 

She ended the conversation with another playful jab saying, “She thinks she can score better but can’t!” It’s heartwarming to see them sharing this bond. But CC is carrying this outspoken attitude in the WNBA, too. 

The Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon once said, “No one talks more cr-p than Caitlin” while discussing how the young stars ‘talk in the face.’ Now, as Iowa heads to the NCAA Open, let’s see how Jensen brings out her top-notch game plays to clinch the title.