Aliyah Boston, Tyrese Haliburton's gf, Connor McCaffery and others drop heartfelt reactions to Caitlin Clark's touching messageĀ
In mid-December, Iowa Athletics announced it would retire Caitlin Clarkās No. 22 jersey and hang it on the rafters of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Indiana Fever star responded with a statement that it would be an āhonorā to celebrate the event with āfamily, friends and alumni." On Saturday, the highly-anticipated ceremony took place in front of Iowa school officials and Hawkeye nation.
A day later, Clark went on Instagram to share her feelings.
āSuch a special day, surrounded by all my favorite people," she wrote. "Feeling incredibly overwhelmed by the love and support from everyone ā thank you hawkeye nation.
"22," she added at the end.
Clark's boyfriend Connor McCaffery, who attended the event, was among those who reacted to the post with a comment that read:
āYouāre a legend."
![Connor McCaffery reacts to his girlfriend's heartfelt IG message. [Source: @caitlinclark22/IG]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/8dfba-17386334888186-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/8dfba-17386334888186-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/8dfba-17386334888186-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/8dfba-17386334888186-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/8dfba-17386334888186-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/8dfba-17386334888186-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/8dfba-17386334888186-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/8dfba-17386334888186-1920.jpg 1920w)
Aliyah Boston, Clarkās Indiana Fever co-star, was more effusive in her praise:
āProud of you sistaaaa."
āYou deserve it," Boston wrote in another comment.
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend, Jade Jones, who has become close with Clark, said:
āLegendary CC.ā
![Aliyah Boston and Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend, Jade Jones, react to Caitlin Clark's message on IG. [Source: @caitlinclark22/IG]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/1f175-17386336148074-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/1f175-17386336148074-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/1f175-17386336148074-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/1f175-17386336148074-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/1f175-17386336148074-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/1f175-17386336148074-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/1f175-17386336148074-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/1f175-17386336148074-1920.jpg 1920w)
Jack McCaffery and Patrick McCaffery, Connorās brothers, also commented. The former said:
āJacket hard twin.ā
The latter added:
āIn the land of no chuzz.ā
![Patrick and Jack McCaffery reacting to Caitlin Clark's IG post. [Source: @caitlinclark22/IG]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/85bd2-17386334442292-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/85bd2-17386334442292-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/85bd2-17386334442292-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/85bd2-17386334442292-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/85bd2-17386334442292-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/85bd2-17386334442292-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/85bd2-17386334442292-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/02/85bd2-17386334442292-1920.jpg 1920w)
The reasons why Iowa retired Clarkās number were written inside a customized Hawkeyes jacket. Among her many achievements imprinted in the apparel were her two AP Player of the Year wins and two College Player of the Year awards. The list also highlighted the fact that she ended her college career as the leading scorer in NCAA Division 1 basketball (men and women).
Clark stood in the middle of the arena she made famous during her four-year stint in Iowa. The WNBA superstarās parents and siblings also had their fair share of the limelight. Some school officials and present and former coaches were also honored for helping mold the greatest Hawkeye ever.
Iowa Hawkeyes honor Caitlin Clark with perhaps biggest upset in womenās basketball this season
Before Caitlin Clarkās jersey went up the rafters of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa hosted No. 4 USC. With Clark sitting at courtside, the Hawkeyes honored the basketball great with perhaps the biggest upset of the season. Iowa beat USC 76-69 to add some thrill to No. 22ās jersey retirement ceremony.
Clark was engaged throughout the game. She cheered for her former team and urged fans to make some noise.