Caitlin Clark is a verified college basketball star.
The 22-year-old University of Iowa player is the second-leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball history, and is poised to break the record soon (perhaps even on Super Bowl Sunday!).
She’s already Iowa’s all-time leading scorer, taking the title of the Division-I player to record 3,300+ points, 900+ assists, and 800+ rebounds in a career, according to her bio.
It’s no surprise that all eyes have been on Caitlin this year after such a successful season.
You probably won’t be surprised to learn that the Big Ten Player of the Year comes from a line of sports enthusiasts. Yep, Caitlin’s family is filled to the brim with sports lovers and athletes alike.
So, as you watch her crushing it on the court, know that her (very talented) fam will be somewhere in the crowd cheering her on.
Her grandfather was a high school football coach.
Caitlin’s grandfather, Bob Nizzi, was the football coach at Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines, Iowa.
Caitlin attended the same high school, and, naturally, carried on the family tradition by joining the basketball team there.
Her grandfather shared a story with HawkFanatic about the moment he knew his granddaughter was destined for greatness.
Bob recounted that he and his wife, Caitlin’s grandmother, were watching a 5-year-old Caitlin struggle on the court. There was a boy twice her size playing tough defense against Caitlin, Bob recalled.
“They were playing and there was a particularly large young man and rather aggressive that was about to position and out strength Caitlin and sometimes to the point where he was really taking advantage of the little girl,” he shared.
Caitlin’s dad, Brent Clark, was her coach at the time, and he benched Caitlin while she was crying, waiting for her to gather her composure.
“Upon her going back in she never went to the ball to participate in the game that was going on,” her grandfather said.
“She went right to this guy and put on the best downfield block that I have ever seen and rolled this kid out of bounds and stood over him.
She’s a five-year old little girl and that is when her grandmother and I looked at each other and said, ‘she’s going to be really something.’
Her dad excelled in sports during his college years.
Brent took on the role of coaching Caitlin during her childhood, leveraging his own athletic background. He was a standout athlete in college, competing in both basketball and baseball at Simpson College in Iowa.
Presently, Brent serves as the Vice President of Operations at Concentric International, a wholesale agricultural, construction, lawn, and garden equipment company, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Caitlin’s mom has a career in marketing.
Ann Nizzi-Clark, Caitlin’s mother, specializes in strategic partnerships at CC22 Ventures, LLC, an early-stage investment platform. Her professional experience also includes roles at Wells Fargo and Delta Dental of Iowa, as indicated on LinkedIn.She has an older brother named Blake.
Caitlin grew up with two brothers, engaging in plenty of basement basketball games, according to The Gazette.
Blake, her older brother at 24, was a notable figure in Iowa State as the college’s former quarterback. He also played basketball during his high school years, underscoring the family’s deep-rooted connection to sports, as highlighted in interviews.
“We were always involved in sports and at home, we were always around sports,” Blake shared with the Iowa newspaper.
“We watched sports at night whether we would go to Drake and watch basketball games, or watch cousins play their basketball games or tournaments, when you’re just around something that much, it’s what you do, too.”
Brent added that his eldest son is a bit of an old soul.
“He just does a really good job of keeping things in perspective, I think he’s well thought of on the football team because of that,” Brent said.
“He gets along well with every single socioeconomic student-athlete you have on the football team. As you know it ranges greatly in people’s backgrounds.”
Blake has also talked about his sister in the interview, saying that she’s a “very outgoing and confident” person.
“I think that’s apparent on the court, she plays with a lot of confidence,” he said. “There’s not a shot she doesn’t think she can take or make.
And she just kind of plays with a swagger, she doesn’t care if she’s missing shots, she trusts that the next one’s going to go in.”
She also has a younger brother named Colin.
If Blake is an old soul, and Caitlin is an outgoing middle child, then the youngest Clark sibling, Colin, is a “quiet assassin,” his mother said, noting his fiery side.
Colin also played basketball in high school and graduated in 2023.
“I think Blake and Caitlin are always watching him online and following him, too,” his mother shared with The Gazette.
“That is probably even more special to watch, and take the time to come back and watch him and support him, and beat up on him a little bit, too. That part has been amazing.”
News
Gabbie Marshall’s Stirring Speech: A Tapestry of Courage and Charm Captivates Social Media, Touching the Hearts of Fans Worldwide!
Good morning! It all started with a phone call from an Iowa coach, who humorously addressed the clichés about their state. Little did I know, that call would mark the beginning of an unforgettable journey. Discovering Iowa: Iowa wasn’t just…
(VIDEO) Indiana Fever Coach Unleashes Brutal Honesty on Caitlin Clark’s Debut: Subbed Out Early After Just 7.5 Minutes – What Really Went Down?
The star rookie’s first game marked by last minuto win from Dallas Wings Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut ends in narrow loss(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)LAPRESSE aitlin Clark made her highly anticipated WNBA debut with the Indiana Fever, but it was the Dallas Wings who stole the show…
Former Iowa guard Kate Martin “Acknowledges” Caitlin Clark for elevating the competitive spirit of the Hawkeyes: “The level of competition continues to soar, all thanks to Caitlin”
Former Iowa Hawkeyes stars Kate Martin and Caitlin Clark have spent considerable time together on the court to understand each other’s strengths. Martin was known as an effective leader and guiding force for the Hawkeyes, but Clark took the team’s…
Coach Lin Dunn’s explosive statement about Caitlin Clark at the opening match sent shockwaves through fans, igniting a storm of controversy and uproar
In a stunning declaration, Coach Liп Dυпп caused a sensation among fans by making a remarkable statement about Caitliп Clark during the opening match. Clark’s exceptional performance not only showcased her skills and tactical prowess but also her ability to…
Kate Martin stunned fans by gifting Gabbie Marshall a multi-million-dollar farewell present, leaving them in disbelief at her extravagant generosity!
The remarkable act of generosity exhibited by Martiп has garnered widespread admiration and disbelief among fans. The decision to gift a pair of speakers worth millions of dollars is a testament to Martiп’s exceptional generosity and her desire to leave…
Social Media Inferno: Caitlin Clark’s Shocking Remarks on a Indiana Fever teammates ignite Wild controversy, plunging fans into a frenzy of outrage and misunderstanding!
Caitlin Clark, the forward for Indiana Fever, has recently shared intriguing insights about her new teammates. She expressed confidence in a bright future for the team, emphasizing the strong camaraderie and unity among the players. According to Clark, they are…
End of content
No more pages to load