feature-image

USA Today via Reuters

feature-image

USA Today via Reuters

Love is in the air! It’s close to two years now that Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffrey celebrate their relationship. “doing life w u has been easy,” the Butler assistant coach had shared in April last year and the internet has been no void of their moments since. Games their own or others’, jersey retirement, or social media shoutout, you do not catch them slipping, and Valentine’s Day was no exception.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

But unlike past elaborate tributes, Connor McCaffery opted for simplicity this 14th February. He shared a monochrome photo of the couple walking hand in hand, accompanied by just two words:

ADVERTISEMENT

“Love you.”

Short, sweet, and straight to the point. But Clark’s response? Well, it was far from your typical gushy social media post. Rather than crafting a lengthy response, she simply reposted the image on her Instagram story—adding only a black heart emoji; a rather unconventional color of choice on the day of love.

ADVERTISEMENT

article-image

Imago

Just a month ago, the Fever guard shared her favorite moments of 2024 in a collage of photos posted to Instagram. “My fav moments from the best year,” Clark wrote. “Time to make 2025 even better🖤📓💫.” You bet McCaffrey made the collection. Goofy pictures or formal events, he was right with her. Days later, he’d proudly share a congratulatory note on her jersey retirement with a snap of the two sharing a hug. So Happy for u, 22, @caitlinclark22,” he wrote. That made CC’s feed too!

ADVERTISEMENT

They may both be in Indiana right now, but couple has had its struggle with distance. The joy of that being eliminated was evident in McCaffrey’s message on the 23-year-old’s birthday.

Despite the distance, Caitlin Clark and her boyfriend found a way to stay strong

Clark and McCaffery’s love story has been unfolding since April 2023. From roaring NCAA tournament crowds to the glitz of the WNBA Draft, McCaffery has been right there, cheering Clark on through every milestone. The couple has never shied away from sharing their admiration for each other, often trading heartfelt messages on birthdays and anniversaries.

ADVERTISEMENT

For Clark’s 23rd birthday, McCaffery dedicated an Instagram tribute that melted hearts: “Happy 23rd CC ❤️ (finally we’re celebrating together this year 🥹)! You have an incredible ability to inspire and lift up those around you, and I am lucky to learn from you every day. Thank you for always being you 🤞🏼I love you.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Of course, it isn’t one-sided.

McCaffery has been spotted courtside multiple times, cheering for Clark. And when the 23-year-old Iowa native got the chance in the offseason, she returned the favor by cheering for Butler; once even during Thanksgiving with her family. We sure can’t get enough!

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Yashika Dutta

2,141 Articles

Yashika Dutta is a Basketball Writer at EssentiallySports, covering the NCAA, WNBA, and Olympics. A member of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, she specializes in the high-stakes energy of college basketball, with features on the Big Ten Conference and the chaos of March Madness that bring fans right to the hardwood. Her coverage has even caught the attention of UConn coaches and Olympian Rori Dunk, earning her recognition for both accuracy and insight. A former state-level basketball player, Yashika channels her on-court experience into reporting that captures the game’s intensity beyond the box score. With a player’s sense of timing and a journalist’s instinct for storytelling, she shines a light on rising stars like Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins, while unpacking the pressures and triumphs that shape college hoops. Whether charting a Big Ten rivalry or chronicling the ethos of March Madness, Yashika connects fans to the heart of the game with energy and authenticity.

Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Shivatmika Manvi

ADVERTISEMENT