The McCaffery family has split their loyalties. Where Fran McCaffery continues to play the role of head coach at Iowa University, as he’s done for the last forty years, his sons are no longer by his side. After Patrick McCaffery decided to transfer to Butler earlier this year, news came that the youngest brother, Jack, had also committed to the program. And of course, the oldest, aka Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend Connor, is now an assistant coach with the Bulldogs. And with a recent ESPN list, it’s time to reminisce!

Four years ago, ESPN released a list of the top-ranked players in college hoops as it does for every draft class. Their latest list for the 2025 ESPN 100 player rankings in the men’s field includes the usual names – AJ Dybansta at the top, and basketball royalty Alijah Arenas and Kiyan Anthony are also on the list. At the 85th spot is Jack McCaffery, and his oldest brother was proud to share the post to his Instagram story.

Now looking back to 2020 on the same list on the women’s side, Paige Bueckers was the top recruit. Then came Angel Reese, then Cameron Brink, and at No. 4, the old familiar, Caitlin Clark, creating a Deja Vu moment for the family.

Fast forward to 2024 and all four names have impacted the sport deeply, none more so than Clark, aka 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year. The Des Moines native turned the college hoops scene upside down and came to be known as the Iowa sensation.

On the other hand, the Indiana Fever guard’s boyfriend is as active in basketball. In fact, as we have already established, his whole family is. Except the sons have moved to Indy, the youngest being a four-star prospect in the Class of 2025. In his junior career, Jack McCaffery averaged 15.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game at Iowa City West High School and announced his commitment to Butler in July.

The high school senior told 247Sports about Butler, “They offered me a little over a year ago and stayed consistent recruiting me this summer. They had a coach at every single one of my games this summer and I felt like they really wanted me.”

While Butler was persistent, it was really his older brother that helped seal the decision.

Jack McCaffery was inspired by brother Patrick to join Butler

Connor McCaffery joined the Butler Bulldogs as recently as September and he was the last of the McCaffery clan to commit to the school. Unlike his brothers, he’s going to be the boss man on the sidelines rather than play with Jack and Patrick McCaffery on the court. Before Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend went to a different part of Indiana, however, it was Patrick who influenced Jack’s decision.

“Coach Matta and his staff, I think the reason I can trust them is because my brother (Patrick McCaffery) goes there now. He just grad transferred there,” Jack McCaffery told On3.

“Also, I didn’t have the best spring, and they had the opportunity to drop me like some other schools and they didn’t. This summer when I started to play a lot better, some new schools started to reach out, but I felt like staying loyal to them was the right thing to do. I think they’ve been very honest throughout this whole process.”

A top 100-ranked recruit, Jack McCaffery’s stock is only going to rise in his senior year. Given all the basketball influence around him, he will have plenty of time to practice before joining his brothers in the Butler colors, even if he might become the only McCaffery not to play for his dad in college!