Caitlin Clark, one of the biggest names in women’s basketball, made headlines once again with her latest public appearance — this time, at Friday night’s college basketball matchup between Butler University and Merrimack College. The Indiana Fever All-Star point guard, fresh off an impressive rookie season in the WNBA, was there to support her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, who is currently an assistant coach for the Butler Bulldogs.
Clark, known for her electrifying performances on the court, took a step back from the spotlight on Friday to play the role of supportive girlfriend. She showed up to the game wearing a grey Butler hoodie, repping her boyfriend’s team while watching from the stands. McC
affery, who has been dating Clark since April 2023, has been a fixture at Fever games during the WNBA season, cheering on Clark during her stellar debut campaign.
Now that the WNBA is on its offseason break, it seems that Clark has taken the opportunity to return the favor and support McCaffery in his new coaching role.
While Clark’s presence at Butler’s games has been welcomed by many fans, her latest appearance quickly became a topic of conversation for a very different reason.
During the contest, fans couldn’t help but notice Clark’s frequent use of her phone, sparking a wave of jokes and commentary online. As Butler faced off against Merrimack, fans watching the game or seeing photos of Clark in the stands took to social media to poke fun at the basketball star’s apparent distraction.
“She’s literally only there to support her man because why is she always on her phone at these games? ??” commented one fan, clearly amused by Clark’s preoccupation. Another agreed, writing, “Legit she stays on that phone at these games. Bored AF lol.” The jokes kept coming, with one viewer even suggesting, “If Caitlin Clark is so bored watching Butler, Unrivaled still has 2 spots open.” Meanwhile, another observer simply noted, “Her phone ?,” summing up the general reaction to Clark’s lack of engagement in the game.
It wasn’t just about her phone, either. Some fans speculated on Clark’s demeanor throughout the game, with one comment reading, “She looks miserable every time she’s in that building.” It’s clear that while Clark was there to support her boyfriend, some of the viewers couldn’t help but comment on her seemingly disinterested expression.
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To be fair to Caitlin Clark, it didn’t appear that she was glued to her phone throughout the entire game. However, there’s no denying that she did check her phone multiple times, which many fans found amusing — particularly given the nature of the matchup.
As the Bulldogs began to pull away, the game quickly turned into a one-sided affair, and it’s not hard to imagine that the lack of competition might have played a role in her attention wandering elsewhere.
The game itself was a tale of two halves. Butler led by just six points at halftime, with the score sitting at 37-31. However, after the break, the Bulldogs completely took over, holding Merrimack to just eight points for the entire second half.
The result was a dominant 78-39 victory for Butler, improving their record to 4-1. With such a lopsided result, it’s understandable why the game may not have held Clark’s full attention, especially considering her own experience competing at the highest levels of basketball.
Despite the jokes, it’s clear that Caitlin Clark’s presence at these games speaks volumes about her relationship with Connor McCaffery.
The pair, both deeply entrenched in the world of basketball, have made it a point to support each other’s careers, even if it means sitting through less thrilling matchups.
McCaffery has been by Clark’s side during her meteoric rise in the WNBA, attending Fever games and cheering her on as she made her mark in the league, earning Rookie of the Year honors, leading the Indiana Fever to the postseason, and establishing herself as one of the most exciting young players in professional basketball.
Now, with the WNBA season wrapped up, Clark is repaying that support, even if the games aren’t always nail-biters.
For Clark, this offseason is a chance to recharge after an intense rookie year, and supporting McCaffery is clearly part of that process. As someone who has faced the pressures of high-stakes basketball games, from the NCAA tournament to the WNBA playoffs, it’s only natural that she might not be entirely captivated by every regular-season college game.
The fact that Butler’s lead ballooned in the second half, with Merrimack unable to put up much of a fight, probably didn’t help matters.
Nonetheless, it’s evident that Caitlin Clark has become an integral part of the Butler community through her connection with McCaffery.
Her presence at the games, even if accompanied by the occasional phone check, shows her support for both her boyfriend and the Bulldogs as they navigate the college basketball season.
It’s not every day that a WNBA All-Star graces a college gymnasium, and Clark’s appearances have added an extra layer of excitement for fans in attendance.
As Butler moves forward with their season, it remains to be seen whether Clark will continue to be a regular presence at games and if fans will keep commenting on her reactions — or lack thereof. Regardless, her commitment to supporting McCaffery underscores the bond they share, both as partners and as basketball enthusiasts.
And while the jokes about her demeanor and phone use may continue, there’s no doubt that Caitlin Clark’s dedication to those she cares about shines through, both on and off the court.
