The Indiana Fever’s home game against the Connecticut Sun was a star-studded affair, with notable figures like Simone Biles, U.S. sprinter Gabby Thomas, and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson in attendance. However, for Caitlin Clark, one spectator stood out above the rest: her former Iowa coach, Lisa Bluder.
Bluder, who guided the Hawkeyes to consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances during Clark’s final two seasons, made the trip to support her former star player. Before the game, Clark took a moment to acknowledge Bluder, sharing a heartfelt exchange with the coach who had been instrumental in her development. Renowned sports photographer Bri Lewerke captured the touching interaction, which has since gained widespread attention on social media.
Iowa family 💛 @LisaBluder @CaitlinClark22 pic.twitter.com/HUZFNZL88R
— Bri Lewerke (@brilewerke) August 29, 2024
While the details of their conversation remain private, it’s evident that Clark deeply values Bluder’s continued support, even as she transitions from college stardom to making her mark in the WNBA.
Clark didn’t just acknowledge her former coach with words; she delivered on the court as well. The 22-year-old was instrumental in leading the Fever to a thrilling 84-80 victory over the Sun. In the same game, Clark set a new WNBA record for the most three-pointers by a rookie, finishing with 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three triples.
The Fever, riding the momentum of back-to-back wins, now look ahead to their upcoming clash against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky in what promises to be a highly anticipated showdown on Friday. With Clark continuing to perform at a high level, Indiana is poised to make a strong push as the season progresses.
