INDIANAPOLIS, IN — In the world of sports, few topics ignite more heated debate than the training regimens of star athletes—especially when those athletes are as polarizing and popular as Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark. But in recent weeks, much of the conversation has shifted away from Clark herself and landed squarely on the shoulders of Conor McCaffery, the former Iowa standout and current Butler assistant coach. The question: Is Conor McCaffery truly worthy of the respect his basketball résumé demands, or is he unfairly catching flak from fans and critics who don’t know the full story?

The Social Media Frenzy: “Can We Stop Doing This?”

It started as a trickle—comments on social media questioning Clark’s offseason training, with some fans scoffing at the idea of her working out with McCaffery instead of “real NBA trainers.” But as the Fever’s season progressed and Clark battled through injuries, that trickle became a flood. Suddenly, McCaffery was the scapegoat for everything from Clark’s shooting woes to the team’s overall struggles.

The frustration boiled over in viral posts and comment threads: “Can people just stop doing this and put some respect on Conor McCaffery’s name?” one fan demanded, echoing a growing sentiment among those who actually know the game.

Conor McCaffery: Closer to LeBron Than You Are to Him

Let’s get one thing straight: Conor McCaffery is not your average gym rat. He’s not just a coach’s son who lucked into a Division I roster spot. He was a top-100 recruit coming out of high school, a four-star prospect who could have played almost anywhere but chose Iowa to suit up for his father, longtime Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery.

Standing 6’6”, McCaffery may not have been a prolific scorer, but his impact was undeniable. In his final college season, he averaged 6.5 points and 4 assists per game, while logging 30 minutes a night for a major program. More importantly, he finished his career as one of the NCAA’s all-time leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio—a stat that speaks volumes about his basketball IQ and decision-making.

“Conor McCaffery is closer to LeBron than you are to Conor McCaffery,” one analyst quipped, highlighting the gap between elite college players and the general public. “He’s not an NBA guy, but he’s a legit pro-level player. If he wanted, he’d walk into a top-tier league in Ireland, Spain, or France and be one of the better players on the floor.”

The NBA Trainer Myth and Women’s Basketball Realities

Critics often ask: “When is Caitlin going to train with a pro NBA player or trainer?” But the truth is, NBA trainers aren’t magic wands. Their biggest asset is access—they can put players in the gym with other NBA-level talent, raising the level of competition. But as many insiders point out, most trainers can run similar workouts, and plenty of college stars have forged successful careers without ever spending a summer with Drew Hanlen or Chris Brickley.

For women’s basketball, the equation is different. There simply aren’t as many opportunities for women to train against NBA-caliber men. Ironically, that’s where someone like McCaffery comes in: he’s a high-level Division I player, smart, physical, and capable of pushing Clark in ways few others can.

“Conor McCaffery is one of the highest IQ players in Division I,” said one Fever insider. “He’s not a scorer, but his understanding of pace, spacing, and decision-making is invaluable for development.”

Nepotism? Not So Fast

Some detractors claim McCaffery only played at Iowa because of his father—a “nepo signing,” they say. But the numbers don’t lie: McCaffery was a top-100 recruit who could have landed at any number of major programs. He chose Iowa to play for his dad, not because it was his only option.

“He could have gone anywhere,” one commentator noted. “He wanted to play for his father, and that’s why he stayed at Iowa. It wasn’t about lack of talent—it was about family.”

What’s Really Going On With Clark’s Training?

So, is Caitlin Clark’s development suffering because of McCaffery? The evidence says no. Clark has trained with a variety of coaches, including Fever development coach Keith Porter and head coach Stephanie White. McCaffery, now an assistant at Butler, occasionally rebounds for her or passes the ball—hardly the sole architect of her offseason.

“She was second in points and leading the league in assists through six games before her injury,” one Fever fan pointed out. “She’s been playing hurt all season. If anything, her ramp-up process to game fitness may have contributed to her injury, but it’s not about her skills training.”

In reality, McCaffery’s role is more cerebral than physical. He’s a coach, a sounding board, and a high-IQ player who can help Clark see the game in new ways. If anything, Clark could do far worse than working out with someone like McCaffery.

Why the Hate?

So why does McCaffery catch so much heat? Part of it is the nature of fandom—when things go wrong, people look for scapegoats. And in an era where social media amplifies every criticism, it’s easy for narratives to spin out of control.

“He’s become a punching bag,” said one analyst. “Half the things that go wrong with Caitlin Clark, people blame Conor McCaffery. Even if she is only working out with him, she could be working out with a lot worse people.”

The Bottom Line: Respect Where It’s Due

If you’re disrespecting Conor McCaffery, you’re either an NBA-level player yourself or so far removed from the game that you don’t understand the difference between elite college talent and the average gym rat. McCaffery earned his spot at Iowa, has built a coaching career at Butler, and brings a wealth of experience and intelligence to any player he works with.

Put simply: put some respect on Conor McCaffery’s name. He’s not the reason for Caitlin Clark’s struggles, and he’s certainly not holding back her development. If anything, he’s an asset—one that the Fever, and Clark herself, are lucky to have in their corner.