Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark has captured headlines this WNBA season with her playmaking and scoring, but over the weekend, her attention shifted away from the court to something far more personal.
Clark extended love and compassion to her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, who is mourning the death of his grandmother, Marit Smaby Nowlin.
McCaffery, an assistant coach for the Butler men’s basketball program and son of Iowa men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery, shared his grief publicly on social media.
On Instagram, he posted a childhood photo of himself sitting on his grandmother’s lap, paired with a heartfelt message.
“I’ve been trying to think of what to say and I can’t. It’s impossible to put into words how much you meant to our entire family. I refuse to say goodbye, so until we meet again,” McCaffery wrote.
Clark responded quietly but meaningfully. In the comment section, she placed several heart and prayer emojis, a simple gesture that spoke volumes about her support.
Teammates and friends also chimed in, including Fever guard Lexie Hull, who added her own heart emojis to send love to McCaffery and his family.
Remembering Marit Smaby Nowlin
According to the obituary posted by O’Halloran & Murphy Funeral and Cremation Services, Marit Smaby Nowlin “passed away in her favorite place on earth on August 13th, 2025 at the age of 80 years.” Reports indicated she was on vacation at Lake Vermilion in Minnesota when tragedy struck.
The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that she was discovered unresponsive while visiting the lake. Emergency responders were alerted through a 911 call before 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
Family members attempted CPR before paramedics arrived. She was transported to Cook Hospital, but doctors were unable to save her. At this time, an official cause of death has not been confirmed.
Clark and McCaffery’s bond beyond basketball
Though the couple has mostly kept their relationship low-key, moments like these show the strength of their connection.
McCaffery, who played college basketball at Iowa before joining Butler‘s coaching staff, has often been seen supporting Clark‘s career milestones. Now, Clark is returning that support, offering comfort as he copes with the loss of a family member who clearly played a central role in his life.
Grief can be a heavy burden, particularly when it arrives suddenly during everyday moments like a family vacation.
The outpouring of messages on McCaffery‘s post, from friends, teammates, and fans alike, shows how much the community has rallied around him. Clark‘s subtle but heartfelt response underscores the importance of presence, even when words can’t capture the weight of such a loss.
For Clark, who continues to navigate the demands of a high-profile rookie season, and McCaffery, balancing his coaching career, this tragedy has reminded both of the importance of love and support off the court.
Their quiet show of solidarity in the face of pain highlights the human side of two young figures whose lives are often seen only through the lens of sports.
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