No matter how far Caitlin Clark’s journey takes her from Iowa City, some bonds never fade. One of them is the connection she shares with Monika Czinano, the duo fans once fondly called “the law firm.”

That’s why, despite a packed offseason, the Indiana Fever superstar didn’t forget January 20. She took to her official Instagram account to share a heartfelt birthday note, revisiting a bond built over years of basketball and friendship.

“Happy Birthday to the Mikan Goat. Throwback to our prime time together,” Clark wrote, tagging Czinano. As the former Iowa centre found out, she didn't waste time and reposted the story to reciprocate love.

After all, once Clark ran the floor as the star point guard, Czinano anchored the paint as the Iowa Hawkeyes' key center. And together, they formed one of the most dominant offensive duos in NCAA women’s basketball.

They even made history through the 2020-23 season. They were the first teammates in Big Ten women’s basketball to each score 2,000 career points in the 2022-23 season.

So yes, seeing Clark still show support isn’t unexpected, especially given their past.

How Caitlin Clark and Monika Czinano Stay Connected?

After an 81-74 win against the Minnesota Lynx on July 14, 2024, Clark walked off the court in uniform. It came as she spotted Czinano waiting for her. 

She broke into a sprint and leaped into her former teammate’s arms. The two hugged tightly, talked for several minutes, hugged again, spoke some more, and shared one final embrace before CC headed to the locker room.

“For three years, I was usually within 40 feet of Caitlin during a basketball game—but not today,” Czinano told the Minnesota Star Tribune at the time.

While Clark transitioned to the WNBA, Czinano didn’t find her path to the league and eventually retired from basketball. Still, she showed up courtside that night just to support her former teammate.

So when Czinano’s birthday came around, CC made sure she showed the love. Simply put, some connections don’t need a court to survive. 

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Joyita Das