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Caitlin Clark saw Illinois take on UPenn
While #3-ranked University of Illinois’ 112-70 win over the University of Pennsylvania on Thursday night was far from being one of the marquee sporting events in the country, one of the biggest stars in all of sports, Caitlin Clark, was in attendance.
The Indiana Fever star attended the Fighting Illini’s matchup against Penn on Thursday night at State Farm Center in Champaign. Still, Illinois freshmen Quentin Coleman and Zavier Zens apparently missed the celebrity sighting until a reporter brought it up afterward.
Illinois won 112-70, with both freshmen putting together impressive performances. Judging by Coleman’s reaction, though, finding out Caitlin Clark had been watching was a highlight of its own.
Illinois freshman Quentin Coleman couldn’t believe Caitlin Clark attended their game against Penn
During the postgame press conference, a reporter asked Coleman and Zens whether they knew Clark was in the building before tipoff and whether her presence had contributed to their performances. Coleman needed a moment to process the question.
“Caitlin Clark was in the building? Wait, why was she here? Yooo…I gotta tell my sister, bro,” he said.
Illinois players’ reaction when they found out Caitlin Clark was at their game is perfect 🥹 https://t.co/2LIVv8NqEc
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) November 6, 2026
Coleman finished with 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while Zens added 18 points and knocked down four three-pointers.
Clark’s attendance at the game wasn’t just because she loves basketball, though, as her boyfriend’s father, Fran McCaffery, is the head coach of the UPenn men’s basketball team.
After an injury-plagued sophomore season in the WNBA, the 24-year-old Clark had a career year during her third year in the WNBA, as she averaged career-highs in points (22.3), field goal percentage (.445), and 3-point percentage (.361), while also helping lead the Fever to a 28-16 record, the 6th best record in the WNBA this season.