Caitlin Clark, the electrifying Indiana Fever guard who has revolutionized women’s basketball, has captured hearts both on and off the court. While her record-breaking performances and clutch shots dominate sports headlines, fans are equally fascinated by her personal life, particularly her romantic relationship with Connor McCaffery. The 23-year-old WNBA sensation has been in a committed relationship with McCaffery, a former Iowa basketball player turned assistant coach, since April 2023.
Their love story began at the University of Iowa, where both were student-athletes representing the Hawkeyes. Clark dominated the women’s basketball scene while McCaffery played for the men’s team and also contributed as a dual-sport athlete in baseball. What started as a college romance has blossomed into a supportive partnership that has weathered Clark’s meteoric rise to professional stardom and McCaffery’s transition into coaching.
The couple recently celebrated their second anniversary in April 2025, with Clark sharing heartfelt tributes on social media that showcase their deep connection. Their relationship represents more than just young love – it’s a partnership between two dedicated athletes who understand the demands of competitive sports and support each other’s professional aspirations. As Clark continues to break barriers in the WNBA and McCaffery builds his coaching career, their relationship serves as a testament to finding balance between personal happiness and professional excellence in the high-pressure world of athletics.
The Beginning of Their Love Story
Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery (Image via Getty)
Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery’s relationship officially began on April 24, 2023, while both were students at the University of Iowa. Their connection was natural, given their shared passion for basketball and their status as Hawkeye athletes. Clark was already making waves as the captain of the women’s basketball team, while McCaffery played for the men’s squad under his father, Fran McCaffery, who serves as the head coach of Iowa’s men’s basketball program.
The couple kept their relationship private initially, but made it public four months later in August 2023 when Clark posted a photo of them together on a boat. She captioned the Instagram post “Best end to summer,” marking their first public acknowledgment as a couple. This moment signaled the beginning of their open relationship journey, with both regularly sharing supportive messages and celebrating each other’s achievements on social media.
Their college connection runs deeper than just basketball. McCaffery was also a talented baseball player, having started in 22 games as a redshirt freshman and being rated as the seventh-best draft prospect in the Big Ten. However, injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic affected his baseball trajectory, leading him to focus more on basketball and eventually transition into coaching.
Connor McCaffery: More Than Just Caitlin’s Boyfriend
Connor McCaffery, now 26, has established himself as a respected figure in basketball beyond his relationship with Clark. After completing his playing career at Iowa in 2023, he initially joined the Indiana Pacers organization in a staff role before making a significant career move in September 2024 to become an assistant coach for Butler University’s men’s basketball team.
His coaching appointment at Butler represents a crucial step in his professional development. Butler head coach Thad Matta praised McCaffery’s potential, stating that his high-level playing experience and exposure to NBA-level coaching would be valuable assets to the program. McCaffery’s basketball pedigree is impressive – he was named a five-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and received multiple academic distinctions during his college career.
The transition to coaching has allowed McCaffery to build his own identity in basketball while maintaining his supportive role in Clark’s career. Clark expressed her excitement about his coaching opportunity, writing on Instagram when he announced his Butler position. This mutual support demonstrates the strength of their partnership, with both pursuing their individual career goals while celebrating each other’s successes.
Celebrating Milestones Together
Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery (Image via Getty)
The couple’s relationship has been marked by meaningful celebrations and public displays of affection that have endeared them to fans. Their first anniversary on April 24, 2024, was commemorated with touching social media tributes. McCaffery wrote about how easy it had been doing life together and expressed his excitement to watch Clark live out her dreams in person.
Their second anniversary in April 2025 was equally romantic, with Clark posting black-and-white photos of the couple and writing about another year with her favorite person. McCaffery responded with his own post featuring a photo of them holding hands, encouraging her to keep being herself with a black heart emoji and infinity symbol.
Beyond anniversaries, they consistently celebrate each other’s birthdays with heartfelt messages. For Clark’s 23rd birthday in January 2025, McCaffery wrote about her incredible ability to inspire and lift up those around her, expressing how lucky he felt to learn from her every day. Clark reciprocated for McCaffery’s 26th birthday, playfully challenging him to finally find a way to outshoot her while declaring her love.
Supporting Each Other’s Careers
One of the most admirable aspects of Clark and McCaffery’s relationship is their unwavering support for each other’s professional endeavors. McCaffery has been a constant presence throughout Clark’s historic college career and her transition to the WNBA. He celebrated her record-breaking achievement as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball history with proud social media posts.
When Clark led Iowa to the Final Four by scoring 41 points against LSU, McCaffery expressed being out of words for her performance. Even in defeat, he remained supportive, calling her his GOAT after Iowa lost the NCAA championship game in April 2024. This consistent support has continued into Clark’s professional career with the Indiana Fever.
Clark has been equally supportive of McCaffery’s coaching aspirations. She has attended Butler games during the WNBA offseason, showing her commitment to supporting his career development. Their mutual respect and understanding of the demands of competitive athletics strengthen their bond and provide a foundation for their relationship’s longevity.
Recent Challenges and Social Media Dynamics
Caitlin Clark (Image via Getty)
Despite their strong relationship, the couple recently faced minor tension when McCaffery posted a lighthearted tweet that unexpectedly stirred controversy among Clark’s fanbase. In June 2025, McCaffery posted on social media about people yelling “Go Hawks” when they see him, playfully redirecting cheers toward his current teams while supporting Clark’s WNBA squad.
However, the post was later deleted, leading to speculation about potential backlash from Clark’s devoted fans. Some followers wondered if the couple’s dynamic might be strained, though this seems unlikely given their recent anniversary celebrations and consistent public displays of affection. The incident highlights the intense scrutiny that comes with dating a superstar athlete and the challenges of maintaining individual identity while being part of a high-profile couple.
Looking Toward the Future
As Clark enters her second WNBA season with the Indiana Fever and McCaffery continues building his coaching career at Butler, their relationship appears stronger than ever. With Clark’s contract extending through the 2027 season and McCaffery’s coaching position in Indianapolis, they have the opportunity to build their future together in the same city.
Their relationship represents a modern sports power couple – two individuals pursuing their own professional goals while maintaining a supportive partnership. As Clark continues to break barriers in women’s basketball and McCaffery develops his coaching expertise, their love story serves as an inspiration for young athletes’ relationships in the demanding world of professional sports.
Kevin Costner’s romantic life has become a subject of public fascination since his highly publicized divorce from Christine Baumgartner in 2024. The 70-year-old Academy Award-winning actor, known for his iconic roles in films like “Dances with Wolves” and the hit series “Yellowstone,” has been guiding the complex world of dating after nearly two decades of marriage. Following a messy divorce that involved heated disputes over child support, property division, and custody arrangements, Costner has emerged with a renewed sense of optimism about finding love again.
The actor’s post-divorce journey has been marked by numerous dating rumors, celebrity connections, and speculation about his romantic preferences. From alleged encounters with A-list celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Jewel to his clear preference for non-Hollywood partners, Costner’s dating life has provided endless fodder for entertainment media. What makes his story particularly compelling is his candid approach to discussing love and relationships, expressing genuine hope that romance could still be in his future while maintaining his focus on his children and career.
As Costner enters this new chapter of his life, he’s been strategic about his approach to dating, reportedly having his team help arrange introductions while being selective about the type of partner he seeks. His journey reflects the challenges many face when rebuilding their romantic lives after a significant relationship ends, particularly in the public eye.
The Aftermath of Divorce: Costner’s Emotional Recovery
Kevin Costner (Image via Getty)
The divorce from Christine Baumgartner took a significant emotional toll on Kevin Costner, who admitted to being “totally blindsided” by his ex-wife’s decision to end their 19-year marriage. The couple, who share three children together – Cayden, 17, Hayes, 16, and Grace, 14 – went through a contentious legal battle that lasted months and involved disputes over everything from child support to household items.
Costner’s confidence reportedly “took a nosedive” following the divorce, as he struggled to adjust to single life after nearly two decades of marriage. The actor had grown accustomed to having “a pretty wife who made their home beautiful and took care of everything when he was away on long shoots,” making the transition to independence particularly challenging. The divorce settlement ultimately required Costner to pay $63,000 monthly in child support, while Baumgartner received $200,000 for a new home, property tax coverage, and homeowner’s insurance.
Adding to the emotional complexity, Baumgartner quickly moved on with Josh Connor, a financier who was reportedly once Costner’s friend. The pair announced their engagement in January 2025, which undoubtedly added another layer of difficulty to Costner’s healing process. Despite these challenges, Costner has maintained his focus on co-parenting and has expressed that his primary concern remains the well-being of his children.
Current Dating Status: Who’s Kevin Costner Seeing?
Kevin Costner (Image via Getty)
As of 2025, Kevin Costner appears to be actively dating but hasn’t confirmed any serious romantic relationships. Multiple sources indicate that the actor has been having his agent and close friends arrange introductions with potential partners, suggesting a more structured approach to finding love. This methodical strategy reflects both his celebrity status and his desire to find a meaningful connection rather than casual encounters.
Recent sightings have included lunch dates with what media initially reported as a “mystery woman,” though sources later clarified that his companion was actually his long-time assistant, indicating the challenges of maintaining privacy in his dating life. The incident highlights how every public appearance is scrutinized for romantic implications, making genuine relationship-building more complex for the Hollywood star.
Costner’s approach to dating in 2025 appears focused on “figuring out his projects and carving out time for his personal life,” with sources noting that “he wants to get out more and maybe meet the right person” while maintaining an optimistic outlook about his romantic future. This balanced approach suggests he’s learned from past experiences and is prioritizing both personal fulfillment and professional responsibilities.
Celebrity Connections and Dating Rumors
Kevin Costner’s post-divorce dating life has been linked to several high-profile women, though most of these connections have been either denied or remain unconfirmed. The most notable rumored relationship was with singer Jewel, following their appearance together at a charity event on Richard Branson’s Necker Island in December 2023. However, Costner definitively addressed these rumors during a Howard Stern interview, stating, “She’s beautiful and smart… It just has never happened for us.”
More recently, Costner sparked dating speculation when he was spotted with Jennifer Lopez at the mountain hotspot Kemo Sabe in Aspen, Colorado, in December 2024. The sighting generated significant media attention, particularly given Lopez’s own recent high-profile divorce from Ben Affleck. However, neither party has confirmed any romantic involvement, and the encounter may have been purely coincidental or friendly.
Other celebrity connections have included playful interactions with media personalities. Television host Hoda Kotb was suggested as a potential match by mutual friend Rachel Smith, to which Costner responded with humor, saying, “I know how to meet girls if I have to.” Reality star Kristin Cavallari has publicly declared Costner her “forever crush” and encouraged him to contact her. These interactions demonstrate the actor’s appeal across different demographics and his ability to handle romantic speculation with grace and humor.
Costner’s Dating Preferences: Why He Avoids Hollywood
One of the most revealing aspects of Kevin Costner’s current dating approach is his clear preference for non-Hollywood partners. Multiple sources have confirmed that “Kevin doesn’t like dating Hollywood actresses and Hollywood people. He likes a more average woman.” This preference represents a significant shift from typical celebrity dating patterns and suggests Costner values authenticity and normalcy over fame and glamour.
Insiders explain that Costner “dislikes dating Hollywood actors and celebrities” and instead “prefers women who are more typical and average.” This preference likely stems from his desire to find someone who can provide stability and a genuine connection rather than the complications that often come with high-profile relationships. Given his experience with the intense media scrutiny surrounding his divorce, choosing partners outside the entertainment industry may offer more privacy and less public pressure.
This dating philosophy also aligns with Costner’s broader life approach, as he’s consistently emphasized the importance of family, authenticity, and meaningful relationships over superficial Hollywood connections. His preference for “average” women suggests he’s seeking someone who can relate to his desire for a grounded, family-oriented lifestyle despite his celebrity status.
Reconnecting with the Past: Relationship with First Wife Cindy Silva
Kevin Costner (Image via Getty)
An unexpected development in Kevin Costner’s post-divorce journey has been his renewed friendship with his first wife, Cindy Silva, whom he was married to from 1978 to 1994. The former couple, who share three adult children – Annie, Lily, and Joe – have reportedly become close friends again, with Silva providing emotional support during Costner’s difficult divorce from Baumgartner.
This reconciliation is particularly remarkable given their own tumultuous divorce history. Their 1994 split was one of the most expensive celebrity divorces at the time, with Costner paying Silva $80 million in settlement. The divorce occurred amid reports that Silva was unhappy with her husband’s rising Hollywood fame and the lifestyle changes that came with it.
Now, decades later, their relationship has evolved into a supportive friendship. Sources indicate that Silva “has been helping him deal with his heartbreak in recent months because she is a wise woman,” and that Costner “truly values how their heartbreaking breakup has resulted in such a lovely friendship.” Their three adult children have served as the “glue” that has held the ex-partners together, allowing them to spend quality time together and frequently gather for family celebrations.
