Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Caitlin Clark's Boyfriend Posts 3 Special Photos For Her Birthday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Jan 22, 2025 7:43 PM ET

Caitlin Clark is taking a well-deserved rest after one of the busiest years we've ever seen for a basketball player.

Clark began 2024 as the best player in college basketball, breaking the all-time NCAA scoring record and leading the Iowa Hawkeyes to the national championship game for the second year in a row.

The star guard ended the year as one of the most popular and influential athletes in America, and was named the TIME athlete of the year after a banner campaign for herself and the WNBA as a whole.

Clark will be back on the court with the Indiana Fever in May for her second WNBA season, but Wednesday called for celebration.

It's Clark's 23rd birthday, and her longtime boyfriend Connor McCaffery posted a touching tribute to her on Instagram.

"Happy 23rd CC ❤️ (finally we’re celebrating together this year )! You have an incredible ability to inspire and lift up those around you, and I am lucky to learn from you every day. Thank you for always being you I love you," McCaffery said on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Connor McCaffery (@connor_m30)

McCaffery referenced being able to celebrate in person with Clark this year after not having the ability to do so in 2024. Clark was in the middle of the season with the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the team had a game against Ohio State the day before her birthday last year.

Clark and McCaffery have been together since 2023, going public when she posted a photo of the two together at the end of her summer vacation.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 14: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Connor McCaffery look on during a preseason game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 14, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)Dylan Buell/Getty Images

The kind birthday message from McCaffrey comes after Clark provided a similar message in July for his 26th birthday.

"Celebrating you is easy," Clark said. "Thankful to have someone as selfless and as loving as you in my life. May this be the year you finally find a way to outshoot me. Love you always."

Clark will have a few more weeks to rest before beginning the 2025 WNBA season.

The Fever will begin the regular season against Clark's longtime rival Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky on May 17, then they'll follow that up with a pair of games against the Atlanta Dream.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: