When Caitlin Clark gifted the Butler University men’s basketball team a full set of her exclusive Nike Kobe 5 Protro sneakers, it wasn’t just a gesture of generosity – it became a viral moment that unexpectedly elevated her boyfriend Connor McCaffery’s profile.
Clark, now one of the biggest names in women’s basketball and a face of Nike, dropped off the highly sought-after “Indiana Fever” colorway of her Kobe 5s for the entire Bulldogs roster.
The connection? Her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, is a key assistant coach at Butler.
While the gesture was aimed at the team, it also gave Connor a healthy boost in visibility just as his own coaching career continues to grow.
Photos of the team trying on and training in the exclusive shoes quickly made their way to social media. Butler’s Instagram post included a direct shout-out to Clark, and Connor didn’t hesitate to share it himself – joining in the fun and putting a personal touch on what became a buzz-worthy moment for the program.
Perfect timing from Caitlin Clark
Clark’s timing couldn’t have been more calculated. With her Nike partnership already making waves and her Indiana Fever debut drawing national attention, the gift to Butler created an unexpected overlap between her fast-rising pro career and her boyfriend’s college coaching track.
Connor McCaffery, who joined Butler’s staff in 2024 after time with the Indiana Pacers, is still early in his career, but his name is quickly gaining attention.
Caitlin’s public gesture didn’t just delight the athletes – many of whom were shocked to receive gear they’d only seen on TV – it sparked curiosity about McCaffery himself.
His repost of the gift, as well as an Instagram story showing his younger brother Jack lacing up the kicks, helped make the moment feel like a shared celebration.
The sneakers themselves are already collector’s items. The “Indiana Fever” Kobe 5 Protros sold out almost immediately upon release, with some resale prices spiking to nearly $500. Caitlin’s decision to offer a batch to a college men’s team made headlines and highlighted her expanding influence – not just in the WNBA, but across the broader sports culture.
Beyond the headlines, the gift was also symbolic of Caitlin’s role as a unifier. She has brought in new fans to women’s basketball, broken records in viewership, and helped reshape what an athlete-influencer looks like in the NIL era.
This latest move – helping elevate her boyfriend and the Butler program – was just another way she’s proven she understands both the game and the moment.
McCaffery is a rising name
For McCaffery, this was more than a kind gesture from a partner – it was a timely bump in exposure. Though he’s long been immersed in basketball through his father, longtime Iowa coach FranMcCaffery, Connor is now charting his own path.
The social media attention from the sneaker drop has made him more visible to recruits, fans, and the wider college basketball landscape.
Meanwhile, Butler’s program benefits too. In a competitive recruiting environment, getting a public nod from one of the most recognizable names in sports is no small advantage. Players want to be around winners-and right now, Clark is synonymous with that.
As for Clark and McCaffery, they’ve found a way to share the spotlight. Their relationship, rooted in shared basketball experience from their days at Iowa, continues to grow – and moments like this show that they’re not just navigating their own careers, but lifting each other up along the way.
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