Basketball phenomenon Caitlin Clark has taken the WNBA by storm since being selected first in the 2024 Draft, but the Indiana Fever guard has had to overcome plenty of obstacles along the way.

Caitlin Clark’s loved ones have also been affected by the public scrutiny she’s faced.

Caitlin Clark has been making waves as the new face of the WNBA, but her path to court conquest was never destined.

Despite her status as the new face of women’s basketball, Clark’s journey to the top was far from mapped out as she emerged from modest beginnings in Iowa. The No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft has more than lived up to the hype and recently became the first rookie to make the All-WNBA first team since 2008.

The 22-year-old has had to fight for recognition and prove she’s deserving of star status despite opposition from her contemporaries on and off the court. And the Daily Express reported how Clark isn’t the only one in her inner circle affected by the pressure.

Humble Beginnings

Clark was born to her mother Anne and father Brent in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2022 and spent her childhood there before also attending college in her home state. It was here the family raised their emerging star in a £500,000 ($650,000) house built in 2001.

It’s hardly surprising the four-bedroom property included a basketball court and ample green space to pursue sporting interests. Alongside her basketball prowess, Clark also demonstrated potential in golf, tennis, volleyball and other sports before focusing on the court.

Clark has one older and one younger brother, often competing above her own age group out of necessity as a youngster. It was her father who encouraged Caitlin to compete against older boys when they were unable to find a local girls’ league in her own age group – and what a decision it turned out to be.

Millionaire boyfriend

Connor McCaffrey was on the staff of the Indiana Pacers in 2023.

Clark was still studying at university when she began dating Connor McCaffery in April 2023, though their relationship didn’t become public knowledge until August of that year. McCaffery also played for the Iowa Hawkeyes but was several years ahead of Clark.

The 26-year-old boasts an impressive estimated net worth of £1.2million ($1.5m) after pursuing a career in basketball coaching, according to Sportskeeda. McCaffrey’s father, Fran, has coached the Iowa men’s basketball team since 2010, while Connor currently serves as the assistant coach of the men’s team at Butler University.

Before this, he spent a year with the Indiana Pacers after accepting an entry-level position with the NBA franchise. His transition to the Dawgs should be a fairly straightforward one given Butler is also located in Indianapolis, where Clark just so happens to play for the Fever.

Parents’ concerns

Clark’s parents, Anne (L) and Brent (R), have also been affected by the criticism she’s faced.

Clark is not alone in feeling the weight of fame as she adjusts to the professional spotlight. She has become a lightning rod for criticism from commentators and fellow athletes, with some suggesting she hasn’t earned the attention she’s getting.

Moreover, Clark has been at the centre of several on-court altercations, where it seems rivals have singled her out for physical challenges off the ball. Despite this, Caitlin remains resolute that her focus is solely on the sport, although this does little to alleviate her parents’ worries about their daughter’s safety and mental health.

Speaking to the Washington Post, she acknowledged the impact they’ve faced together, saying: “They see all this stuff, too. You have to remember, we’re regular people with feelings. My parents have feelings. It can definitely be hard at times.

“I think it’s hard for people to remember, I just love playing basketball. This is my job. This is what I’m here for. I’m not here for all the other stuff.”