You’ve seen the logo threes. You’ve seen the sold-out arenas and the "Caitlin Clark effect" that basically rewrote the business model for women’s sports. But when the buzzer sounds and the cameras stop flashing in Indianapolis, there’s usually one person who’s been there since the beginning.
Honestly, the search for Caitlin Clark boyfriend usually leads people to a lot of speculation, but the reality is actually pretty grounded. It’s not some Hollywood crossover or a PR stunt. It’s Connor McCaffery.
He’s not just a guy on the sidelines. He’s a former Hawkeye, a coach, and part of a massive basketball dynasty. If you're wondering how they make it work with her schedule being, well, insane—here’s the actual story.
Who Exactly is the Guy Dating the Face of the WNBA?
Connor McCaffery isn’t exactly a stranger to the bright lights of a basketball court. Before anyone was googling Caitlin Clark boyfriend, Connor was carving out his own path at the University of Iowa.
He played six seasons for the Hawkeyes. That’s a long time. Because of various redshirt years and the extra year of eligibility from the pandemic, he became a fixture in Iowa City. He wasn't the high-volume scorer like Caitlin—nobody is—but he was the definition of a "coach on the floor."
He finished his college career with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.59. That is the second-best in NCAA history. Basically, he doesn't make mistakes with the ball. That kind of stability is probably exactly what you need when your partner is arguably the most famous athlete on the planet right now.
The family ties are deep, too. His dad is Fran McCaffery, who coached the Iowa men’s team for 15 years before moving to the University of Pennsylvania recently. Basketball is basically the family religion for the McCafferys.
How Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery Actually Met
It wasn't a "love at first sight" movie moment at a gala. It was the training facility.
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They were both student-athletes at Iowa, overlapping for three years. While Caitlin was breaking every scoring record known to man, Connor was a veteran leader for the men’s team. They officially started dating on April 24, 2023.
They kept it quiet for a few months. Standard procedure for high-profile athletes, really. They finally went "Instagram official" in August 2023. Caitlin posted a photo of them on a boat with the caption "Best end to summer."
Since then, it’s been a lot of supportive social media posts and courtside appearances. When Caitlin was drafted #1 overall by the Indiana Fever, the stars aligned perfectly. Connor was already working in Indy for the Pacers as a basketball development coordinator.
The Current Status: Are They Still Together?
Yes. As of early 2026, they are very much a couple. They actually celebrated their two-year anniversary in April 2025.
Connor has moved up in the world, too. He left the Pacers staff to become an assistant coach for the Butler University men’s basketball team. This was a massive move for him professionally, but it also kept him in Indianapolis.
Imagine trying to maintain a relationship when one person is a WNBA superstar traveling across the country and the other is a Division I college coach. It’s a lot of FaceTime calls.
But they make it work. Just this past January, Connor posted a tribute for Caitlin’s 23rd birthday. He mentioned how lucky he is to learn from her every day. It’s actually kinda sweet how normal they seem despite the circus surrounding her career.
Key Facts About Connor McCaffery
- Age: 27 (born July 13, 1998)
- Height: 6'5"—he’s actually got a few inches on Caitlin.
- Education: He didn't just play ball; he grabbed two degrees in finance and political science.
- Job: Assistant Coach at Butler University.
- Sibling Rivalry: His brother Patrick also plays high-level college hoops.
Why Their Relationship Works (The "Secret Sauce")
Most people think dating a superstar is all about red carpets and VIP treatment. And sure, they went to the Fever Gala together looking incredibly sharp—Caitlin in a strapless black dress and Connor in a grey suit.
But if you look at their social media, it’s mostly them in sweats.
They speak the same language. When Caitlin has a rough shooting night or is dealing with the physical toll of the WNBA, Connor knows exactly what that feels like. He’s been through the grind.
Caitlin has even mentioned that they "bounce ideas off each other" regarding basketball. Imagine having a partner who can actually breakdown film with you at 11:00 PM on a Tuesday. That’s a specific kind of bond you can’t really replicate with someone outside the sports world.
Addressing the Rumors
Because she's so famous, people love to invent drama. No, they aren't engaged (yet). No, they haven't broken up because of the "pressure."
In fact, Connor has been her biggest defender. When things got heated during her rookie season—remember all those hard fouls and the media frenzy?—Connor was often seen on Twitter (X) or Instagram just quietly supporting her.
He handles being "the boyfriend" with a lot of grace. It takes a certain type of ego to be okay with your partner being the one getting the statues and the multi-million dollar Nike deals while you're an assistant coach at Butler.
What’s Next for the Couple?
Caitlin is heading into another massive WNBA season with the Fever. The expectations are higher than ever. Meanwhile, Connor is deep into the Big East schedule with Butler.
They are living the "pro athlete couple" life in Indianapolis. They share the city with other stars like Tyrese Haliburton, and they've been spotted at Pacers games together during the offseason.
Honestly, the most impressive thing about them isn't the stats or the fame. It's the fact that in the middle of a literal cultural phenomenon, they’ve managed to keep things remarkably boring. And in the world of celebrity relationships, boring is usually a sign of something that's actually going to last.
How to Follow Their Journey
If you want to keep up with them without the tabloid noise, your best bet is following them directly.
- Watch the Sidelines: You’ll almost always see Connor at Fever home games when Butler isn't playing.
- Instagram Tags: They don't post every day, but they always show up for birthdays and anniversaries.
- Butler Athletics: Keep an eye on the Bulldogs' bench to see Connor's progression as a coach.
Keeping track of a relationship in the public eye is tough, but these two seem to have the playbook figured out. They've transitioned from college sweethearts to a professional power couple without losing the thread of what made them work in Iowa City.