Caitlin Clark, the record-breaking basketball sensation from the University of Iowa, has captivated fans nationwide with her unmatched scoring ability and fearless style of play. But behind her extraordinary journey stand two unwavering supporters — her parents, Anne and Brent Clark — who’ve played a pivotal role in her rise.
Meet Anne and Brent Clark: Parents Behind Caitlin Clark’s Rise
Anne and Brent Clark are proud parents of Blake, Caitlin, and Colin Clark. Raised in West Des Moines, Iowa, Caitlin is the second child in the family. Her older brother Blake played football at Iowa State, while her younger brother Colin also plays basketball.
Childhood games could get heated. Colin once recalled, “There was a loose ball and she ended up shoving me in the corner of the basement into the wall… Got four staples.”
Both Anne and Brent come from athletic backgrounds. Brent was a member of the baseball and basketball teams at Simpson College in Iowa from 1985 to 1988. He earned All-Conference honors in basketball. Caitlin also attended Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines — the same school Anne went to — where Anne’s father, Bob Nizzi, was the head football coach. That family legacy helped shape Caitlin’s early love for sports.
Caitlin Clark gifted her game-worn shoes to this young fan after tonight's win in Atlanta 🫶 pic.twitter.com/1K6vJF7Abm
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever)
Brent coached Caitlin when she was young. Her grandfather, Bob, shared a story from when she was five. After getting overwhelmed by a much bigger boy during a game, Caitlin was benched by Brent.
“Her father sat her down and then he said, ‘When you’re ready I’ll put you back in,’ and she stopped crying,” Bob recalled. When she returned, she made a big block. “That’s when her grandmother and I looked at each other and said, ‘She’s going to be really something.’”
Brent says he sees himself in Caitlin. “I see a lot of myself at times in Caitlin in terms of her passion for the game,” he said. Anne added, “Honestly, it’s just been a fabulous journey thus far, and [we’re] super proud of her.”
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Off the court, Anne says Caitlin has a “fun, spunky attitude.” Blake noted her unshakable confidence: “There’s not a shot she doesn’t think she can take or make.”
As Caitlin’s fame grows, Brent reminds her to keep her focus. “You gotta stay away sometimes from the social media… there’s about 50% lined up against you, 50% lined up for you,” he said.
Through basement showdowns and big-stage moments, Anne and Brent Clark have been a steady presence — guiding Caitlin from humble beginnings to national stardom.
