1. The Rivalry Root: Loyalty to Iowa State 🏀
Tyrese Haliburton, now the dynamic point guard for the Indiana Pacers, attended Iowa State University from 2018 to 2020. His collegiate career was marked by his emergence as a premier playmaker—he set school assist records and earned All‑Big 12 honors . Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark was rewriting history at the University of Iowa, amassing 31.6 points, 8.9 assists, and 7.4 rebounds per game in her senior year .
Haliburton’s loyalty to his alma mater ran deep. He admitted in an interview with ESPN that “I refused to cheer for Caitlin until she got out of college because I’m not cheering for Iowa” . His allegiance to Iowa State and its rivalry with Iowa made it impossible to publicly support Clark during her Hawkeye days.
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2. The Turning Point: From Rivalry to Respect
Despite his rivalry-fueled abstention, Haliburton followed Clark’s journey closely. He frequently talked about her performances with Connor McCaffery, Caitlin’s boyfriend and a former Iowa player who became an intern with the Pacers . Their discussions reflected mutual respect—Haliburton acknowledged her skill, even if he couldn’t publicly support her at the time.
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3. Transition to the Professional Leagues
The tone began to shift when Caitlin Clark was drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in 2024 . With both Haliburton and Clark now playing in Indiana, they share Gainbridge Fieldhouse and a growing friendship.
Clark’s rookie season featured averages of 19.2 PPG, 8.4 APG, and 5.7 RPG, shattering rookie records .
Haliburton’s support became visible—attending Fever games and purchasing high-demand season tickets, as those courtside seats quickly sold out .
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4. Building a Bond in Indiana
Their connection deepened beyond the court. A group chat featuring Clark, Haliburton, McCaffery, and Haliburton’s girlfriend, Jade Jones, became their informal support system . They exchange encouragements, critiques, and shared love for basketball.
Clark jokes about yelling at Haliburton during Pacers games: “Shoot it!” .
He watches her games and even teases her about turnovers .
Their chemistry is palpable—Cam Clark’s presence at Pacers playoff games correlates with an 8‑0 home record , and Haliburton acknowledges this so‑called “Clark Effect” .
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5. Indiana’s Basketball Renaissance
Together, they are reshaping Indianapolis’s basketball atmosphere:
Haliburton led the Pacers to the NBA Finals—their first in 25 years .
Clark brought unprecedented energy to Fever home games: attendance jumped from ~4,000 pre‑Clark to over 17,000 .
Their synergy is capturing headlines: “the most powerful friendship in basketball” .
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne highlighted it: “Ty and I would both tell you this is where we hope to stay the rest of our careers,” Clark said .
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6. Looking Forward: A Shared Vision
Indiana is now basketball’s hotspot thanks to this duo:
1. Haliburton brings elite playmaking and leadership, proven by All‑Star appearances, All‑NBA selections, and Olympic gold .
2. Clark has become a league-altering star—she broke NCAA scoring records, sparked WNBA viewership surges, won Rookie of the Year, and secured multiple endorsements .
Their bond isn’t just personal—it symbolizes changing times in basketball culture:
They show how college rivalries—like Iowa vs. Iowa State—can give way to professional collaboration.
They underscore growing respect between the NBA and WNBA, and between men’s and women’s basketball.
They highlight Indiana’s emergence as a city where both leagues are thriving simultaneously.
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Why Haliburton Shared This Now
The timing of Haliburton’s revelation matters:
It celebrates Clark’s WNBA achievements and career shift.
It addresses their now-public closeness amid playoff buzz—this story resonates as they both play pivotal roles in postseason.
It reminds fans: even basketball’s biggest friendships may begin with rivalry.
Haliburton’s candid honesty about loyalty—“I can’t root for Iowa”—adds a layer of realness to their public friendship .
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Final Thoughts
In essence, Haliburton’s prior refusal to cheer for Clark was rooted in unwavering loyalty to Iowa State, pitted against Clark’s dominance at Iowa. Yet once Clark turned pro—with both now representing Indiana—the rivalry faded. Their evolving friendship stands as a testament to the transcendent power of sports: respect, camaraderie, and shared ambition can bridge college divides. At this pivotal time in both of their careers, their partnership is rewriting basketball narratives—on the court and beyond.
