It only took one word for Caitlin Clark to show up for her former teammate. Years after their time at the Iowa Hawkeyes, the connection between Clark and Gabbie Marshall hasn’t faded. So when Marshall announced her life-changing news on Instagram, it was only a matter of time before the Indiana Fever star showed up.

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Marshall recently shared the news of her engagement by uploading a post captioned with, “Less than 365 days until I get to marry my best friend 🤍♾️.” And while the post was filled with congratulatory messages, one comment stood out.

Caitlin Clark, now in her third WNBA season, kept it short and sweet, dropping a one-word reaction: “Yayayayaya.”

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It was a small moment, but one that reflected the bond built during their time together in Iowa, where the two played key roles in elevating the program into a national contender.

During their run, the Hawkeyes became one of the most talked-about teams in college basketball, with deep tournament pushes and a style of play that drew national attention. In the 3 consecutive years they played together, Clark and Marshall led the Hawkeyes to 85+ wins.

After that, Clark’s journey took her to the WNBA as the No. 1 overall pick in 2024. But Marshall? She chose a different path.

Following a five-year career under Lisa Bluder, Marshall opted not to enter the WNBA Draft and instead focused on her academics. She graduated with a degree in Health and Human Physiology, stepping away from the game after leaving a lasting impact at Iowa.

But it’s still worth noting that, known for her defensive intensity, Marshall became the 44th player in program history to surpass 1,000 career points and remains the only Iowa women’s player to record both 200 three-pointers and 200 steals.

However, as Marshall now steps into a new chapter, the support from former teammates like Clark continues. And even with their careers taking different directions, a one-word reaction was enough to show that some connections don’t need much to say a lot.

But while moments like these make you stop and appreciate, Clark has been making noise on the court recently.

Caitlin Clark Lights Up Home Crowd Before Injury Scare Halts Momentum

Clark just made her first home appearance in more than nine months at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, marking a long-awaited return after her 2025 season was cut short due to injury. And once she stepped back on the court, she quickly reminded everyone what they had been missing as the Indiana Fever faced the Dallas Wings in their second preseason game.

In the game, the Fever star wasted no time settling in and dropped 14 points in the opening quarter alone and finished with a game-high 21 points in just 16 minutes of action.

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She looked efficient and in control, shooting 4-of-6 from the field while consistently attacking the rim and drawing contact, going 11-of-13 from the free-throw line.

The atmosphere reflected just how long this moment had been anticipated. From packed autograph lines to No. 22 jerseys filling the stands, the buzz around her return was undeniable, even for a preseason contest.

However, the night wasn’t without its fair share of concern.

Early in the third quarter, Clark took a hard fall after colliding with Dallas forward Alanna Smith on a shot attempt. She stayed down momentarily before walking it off and heading to the bench during a review that resulted in a Flagrant 1 call.

After that, Caitlin Clark briefly returned to knock down two free throws before being taken out as a precaution.

“I feel good. I just landed on my kneecap really hard,” Clark said postgame.

Even though the Fever fell short in this game, the good news was that Caitlin Clark finally looked back in rhythm. And with their next preseason game against the Nigerian national team set for May 2, all eyes will be on whether she can carry that momentum forward or not.

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