Caitlin Clark took on the role of supportive girlfriend Saturday night after watching friend Connor McCaffery in action as an assistant basketball coach for Butler.
Clark, who last week was named TIME Athlete of the Year for 2024, has some time on her hands after her record-breaking WNBA rookie season came to an end in September, meaning she was free to cheer on the Butler Bulldogs in Indianapolis.
The No. 1 draft pick was spotted in the stands at Hinkle Fieldhouse as McCaffery’s Bulldogs posted a 79-74 loss to UConn, leaving them 7-6 on the season and 0-2 in Big East play.
When captured by NBC cameras during the game, Clark appeared to be on her phone, leading to jokes on social media that she was checking the score of the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans game.
As a longtime Chiefs fan, she would have been happy with that result after Kansas City held on for a 27-19 victory as Taylor Swift watched from the stands at Arrowhead.
Clark was also in the crowd at Butler’s game against Merrimack College last month, where fans also claimed she looked bored whiletalking to other people and constantly checking her phone instead of watching the action.
Caitlin Clark (left) watched friend Connor McCaffery (right) in action Saturday evening as an assistant basketball coach for Butler
McCaffery, who has been dating Clark for nearly two years, joined Butler’s staff in September after previously working for the Indiana Pacers as a basketball development coordinator.
In late November, Caitlin and Connor were spotted together at a Pacers game, sitting courtside with the girlfriend of star Indiana forward Tyrese Haliburton as the team took on the New Orleans Pelicans.
Clark will have more time for herself this winter after choosing not to play in Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league.
The selections were announced in November, and although Napheesa Collier, Angel Reese and Breanna Stewart are among the WNBA stars set to play, the Fever superstar opted to postpone.
Clark sparked controversy in her interview with TIME last week after being named the magazine’s Athlete of the Year.
The 22-year-old spoke about her own “white privilege” and claimed that the WNBA is “built on” black players, which has led to heavy criticism in some quarters.
Commentator and podcaster Megyn Kelly complained about her “self-flagellation,” while Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy – one of the WNBA player’s biggest fans – also expressed his anger after dismissing the idea that she enjoys extra attention because of her race.
Clark and McCaffery have been dating for almost two years since they were both athletes at Iowa
The pair sat courtside with the girlfriend of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton during a game last month
Clark has been criticized recently after discussing her “white privilege” with TIME magazine
However, others have supported Clark following her “white privilege” comment, including retired women’s soccer player Megan Rapinoe.
“I think what Caitlin did in her quotes, or in the article, explicitly spoke to her white privilege, and that’s what gets so much criticism or backlash, and that’s the lesson,” Rapinoe said.
“So, you know, for conservative media to come at her now that they’re clearly just showing their whole ass
“If fans are angry because she says that and just acknowledges what’s true, then I think that says a lot. But I think the more you speak to it directly, the clearer it becomes what your position is, and then you can’t be used in that way. It doesn’t really leave your beliefs or your position as a white player up to any interpretation.”