Scrolling through Gabbie Marshall’s social accounts, you’ll find the very first photo she ever posted– a young Lily in her lap with a young Luke sitting in the oldest Marshall sibling Noah’s lap. If the sentiment isn’t clear, her next full-family vacation post from 2017 would clear how she puts “family over anything.” For her time in Iowa City, we know she called the Hawkeyes her family, caring for them and making sure they were all set to continue in the upward trajectory with Caitlin Clark leading the way. But she was more than just Clark’s backcourt buddy—she was the calm in the storm, the defensive anchor, and yes, the karaoke hype queen. Although she couldn’t continue her basketball career into the professional leagues, she made sure she stood on the sidelines for her former teammates, hyping them up on every bucket they made.

But from her own moments? The block that pushed the Hawkeyes into their second consecutive National title game. “Let’s Go!” Marshall yelled into the crowd after she found herself on the floor when UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards sprung into the guard. Before that, she was the softest-spoken person on the floor. After? You have seen her be the loudest supporter out there for everyone she cares about. And she has done it again.

Now that her young sister is all grown-up and winning tournaments with her volleyball team, you would expect Gabbie Marshall to be on the sidelines, phone out, cameras on, recording every shot Lily makes. So, when the young star won a silver at an event, Gabbie was first to post about it. Radiating big sis energy in Louisville, Kentucky, she shared a photo of the medal-winning crew on her Instagram story with a simple caption— “Proud Sis🥹🥹”

Kneeling in the lower row, second from left, was Gabbie’s sister, gleaming a big smile, not in front where the media was, but right at her sister standing in the front row. The even bigger moment? Lily wears a No. 24 jersey. Does it strike a chord? Yep. Gabbie too wore a No. 24 jersey in her basketball career at Iowa. If that’s not sisterly bond, then what is? The older sister cheering for the star that her young sister is turning into and the latter giving her moments like this!

It’s no shocker, really, because both of Gabbie’s parents played at college, and every sibling seems to be cut from the same athletic cloth. Whether her sister’s planning to follow Gabbie’s path and become an athlete is still up in the air, but one thing’s for sure—she’s got the loudest fan club already behind her.

But hyping and cheering is not all that Marshall is doing these days.

What is Gabbie Marshall doing post-retirement?

After graduating from the University of Iowa, Gabbie Marshall made a deliberate and deeply personal decision: to trade in her basketball shoes for textbooks and clinical rotations. Now enrolled in a Master’s program in Occupational Therapy at the University of North Carolina, Marshall has stepped into a new chapter, one that channels her discipline and drive into helping others regain independence and quality of life.

Occupational therapy, a field centered on aiding individuals in developing, recovering, or adapting the skills needed for daily living, reflects Gabbie’s long-standing desire to make a tangible difference. It’s a path grounded in empathy and connection—qualities that have always defined her, even during her years on the hardwood.

She has been using her platform to extend support and voice to people. For instance, she posted an Instagram video last August, announcing a giveaway contest with Cancer Brand.

“Hey guys!! I’ll be picking 3 people for a little surprise, and I’d love for you to be part of it. Simply tag me and @cancerbrand_ in your story/post when you order or wear your shirt. The winners will be announced on Monday, so until then remember, WeCancervive together!,” Marshall wrote in the caption.

She began her collaboration with the brand last year itself, hoping to raise awareness about cancer and help those battling it. This cause is also personal for her, as her grandmother’s been affected by cancer, too. It returned last year unexpectedly, and she decided to bring in some vibes, surprising her by wearing “WeCancervie” T-shirt. It’s unclear how her grandmother’s health is faring right now, but she has not stepped away from giving surprises, making even Clark go awww. 

Busy with her academics, when Marshall found a window to fly out to Louisville, she did not miss out on the chance. She decided to surprise her grandmother and like a proper blogger, told her fans to keep watching the video for her reaction. Clark definitely did watch it till the end, as she commented, “So cute aw”.

So, yes, Clark and Marshall might not be teammates now, might not even be playing in the sport together, but their bond is something much more than that. And you can expect to come across such wholesome anecdotes from time to time. At the same time, Gabbie is all in on making a life path of her own and cheering for them all.