Some bonds just don't fade with time—or distance.
It only took one word for Caitlin Clark to show up for her former teammate. Years after their days together at the Iowa Hawkeyes, the connection between Clark and Gabbie Marshall remains as strong as ever. So when Marshall shared life-changing news on Instagram, it was only a matter of time before the Indiana Fever superstar weighed in.
Marshall recently announced her engagement with a heartfelt post captioned: "Less than 365 days until I get to marry my best friend 🤍♾️." While congratulations poured in from all sides, one comment in particular stood out from the crowd.
Clark, now in her third WNBA season, kept it short and sweet—dropping a single-word reaction: "Yayayayaya."
It was a small moment, but one that spoke volumes about the bond forged during their time in Iowa City. Together, Clark and Marshall helped transform the Hawkeyes into a national powerhouse, leading the program to three consecutive deep tournament runs and racking up 85+ wins along the way. Their style of play turned heads across the country and put Iowa women's basketball squarely on the map.
After that unforgettable run, Clark's path led her to the WNBA as the No. 1 overall pick in 2024. Marshall, however, chose a different route.
Following a five-year career under legendary coach Lisa Bluder, Marshall opted out of the WNBA Draft to focus on her academics, earning a degree in Health and Human Physiology. She stepped away from competitive basketball after leaving an indelible mark on the program—one defined by relentless defensive intensity. Marshall became the 44th player in Iowa history to surpass 1,000 career points, and she remains the only women's player in program history to record both 200 three-pointers and 200 steals.
Now, as Marshall steps into an exciting new chapter, the support from her former teammates continues. Even with their careers heading in different directions, a one-word reaction from Clark was all it took to show that some connections don't need many words to say a whole lot.
Whether it's on the court or in life's biggest moments, the Hawkeye family always shows up for one another.