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Taylor Swift Wrote Personal Note to Caitlin Clark and Invited Her to Chiefs Game
Caitlin Clark's slam-dunk season came with expected fouls.
The Indiana Fever guard reflected on her rise to fame at the tail end of her college basketball career, ultimately leading to outrage surrounding her salary, rivalries with other players and more.
"I tell people I feel like the most controversial person," Caitlin, who was named Time's Athlete of the Year, told the outlet in an interview published Dec. 10. "But I am not. It's just because of all the storylines that surround me. I literally try to live and treat everybody in the same exact respectful, kind way. It just confuses me at times."
In fact, one of those "storylines" was her feud with Lousiana State University alum Angel Reese, which blew up when the latter made a "You can't see me" gesture at Caitlin during the 2023 NCAA women's championship game between LSU and the University of Iowa.
Angel, now a forward for the Chicago Sky, was slammed online following the incident. However, the 22-year-old also emphasized that she wasn't bothered by Angel's gesture.
"I didn't think it was taunting," she noted. "It's just like, 'Why don't you talk about them winning? Or the incredible run that we went on that nobody would have thought we would have ever gone on?' The only thing people cared about was this controversy that was really fabricated and made up, and then that has continued to be the case ever since."
And Caitlin downplayed their back-and-forth, calling their rivalry "fabricated."
Matt Kryger/NBAE via Getty Images
"I don't get that at all," she explained. "We're not best friends, by any means, but we're very respectful of one another. Yes, we have had tremendous battles. But when have I ever guarded her? And when has she guarded me?"
The athlete, who was the No. 1 overall pick for the 2024 WNBA draft, was also at the center of outrage after fans learned that she would earn $338,056 for four years with the team, according to the association's collective bargaining agreement. In comparison, her salary was less than one percent of Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 draft for the NBA in 2023.
Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images
However, Caitlin isn't interested in spotlighting the haters.
"I have a great skill of just blocking it out," she admitted. "I don't care what people say about me."
Instead, she focuses more on her year's positives, which she described as "historic."
"I've been able to captivate so many people that have never watched women's sports," she reflected, "let alone women's basketball, and turn them into fans."
And when Caitlin is off the basketball court, she has a fan in her boyfriend Connor McCaffrey. Keep reading for a timeline of their romance…
Instagram Official
WNBA's Caitlin Clark went public with Connor McCaffery, a team assistant for the Indiana Pacers and fellow University of Iowa alum, in August 2023.
She captioned a photo of the pair snuggling on a boat, "Best end to summer."
Feeling 22
Connor penned a sweet tribute in honor of Caitlin's golden birthday on Jan. 22, 2024.
"Wish I was there to celebrate with you - you deserve the best day," he captioned photos of the duo on Instagram. "With all that you’ve already accomplished, there is so much more in store for you and your special self. I admire you in every way and I love you."
Biggest Fan
Teasing Connor for "acting" like a Taylor Swift fan, Caitlin replied in the comments section of his birthday tribute, "I will let this slide hehe."
Matthew Holst/Getty Images
On the Sidelines
Connor was in the stands during Caitlin's record-breaking game against the Michigan Wolverines in February 2024.
Keeping Score
After Caitlin became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball history, Conor wrote on his Instagram Story that he was "so proud.”
Referencing the basketballer's jersey number, he added, "Love you 22."
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Cheer Squad
Connor also had nothing but love for Caitlin after her game against the LSU Tigers in April 2024, writing on X (formerly known as Twitter), "She was special tonight."
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