Caitlin Clark Reacts To Her Boyfriend Connor McCaffery’s Heartbreaking Loss

Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, is grieving after the heartbreaking loss of his grandmother, Marit Smaby-Nowlin. McCaffery, 27, shared the news on Instagram Saturday, posting a touching tribute along with a childhood photo of himself with his grandmother.

Connor McCaffery Mourns the Loss of His Grandmother

“I’ve been trying to think of what to say and I can’t,” he wrote. “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.”

Clark, 23, responded to the post with several heart and prayer-hands emojis, quietly showing her support for her boyfriend during the difficult time.

According to the Star Tribune, Smaby-Nowlin, 80, was found unresponsive in Lake Vermilion in northeast Minnesota on Wednesday. Family members attempted to revive her until first responders arrived. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office reported that she later died after being transported to Cook Hospital.

Smaby-Nowlin was the mother of four daughters, including McCaffery’s mom, Margaret, who was a standout basketball player in St. Paul before going on to play at Notre Dame. Margaret later married longtime college basketball coach Fran McCaffery, now the head coach at the University of Pennsylvania.

Inside Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery’s Relationship

Clark, now starring for the Indiana Fever, has been dating McCaffery for two years. The couple celebrated their anniversary in April, with Clark posting, “Another year with my favorite person 🙂 I’m so thankful for you 🖤🖤.”

She has regularly shared her love and support for McCaffery on social media. In July, she wished him a happy 27th birthday with a heartfelt Instagram post: “Happy happy happy birthday Con🥳 you make everyday better and I couldn’t be more grateful. May this be the best year yet, I love you 🖤🖤.” The carousel of images showed the couple smiling courtside, attending events, and enjoying their time together.

Clark and McCaffery met at the University of Iowa, where they both played basketball. McCaffery has since transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach for the Butler men’s basketball program. Before that, he worked for the Indiana Pacers as a basketball development coordinator during the 2023-24 NBA season.

Clark is currently on the sidelines with a groin injury. On Sunday, August 17, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White addressed Clark’s status when asked whether the two-time WNBA All-Star could make it back before the close of the regular season.

“That’s the hope. The hope is that she’s back,” White told reporters, via ESPN.

So far, Clark has missed 21 games for Indiana. With her in the lineup, the Fever have gone 8-5, compared to a 10-11 record in the games she has missed this year.

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