## WNBA Star Caitlin Clark Gifts Butler Bulldogs Kobe Shoes, Cementing Indianapolis Connection

**A gesture of generosity and community building highlights the growing influence of Indiana Fever's star guard.**


Caitlin Clark isn't just rewriting the WNBA; she's reshaping Indianapolis basketball culture one thoughtful move at a time. 

The reigning WNBA draft No. 1 pick, recently selected by the Indiana Fever, has become a fixture at local games and practices.  Her latest act of kindness? Gifting the Butler Bulldogs men’s basketball team with Nike Kobe 5 Protro shoes in a Fever-inspired colorway.


"That's all (Caitlin), she's generous," said Connor McCaffery, Butler assistant coach and Clark's boyfriend, to IndyStar.  

McCaffery coordinated the shoe delivery through his partnership with Clark, who handled all logistics despite his assistance with gathering sizes. The shoes, which dropped June 30th and now resell for nearly double their $190 retail price, are among Nike’s most sought-after releases this summer.


"She wants us to do well, but she wants to see good basketball all throughout the city," McCaffery explained, highlighting Clark's dedication to the local game.

**Clark's gesture transcends a simple gift.**  The choice of Kobe 5 Protros, with their symbolic weight and association with Clark's admiration for Bryant's legacy, adds another layer of meaning. By giving something rare and valuable, Clark demonstrates her appreciation while fostering a sense of community.


 **A Unique Basketball Bond**

Clark and McCaffery's relationship adds an intriguing dimension to their growing influence in Indianapolis hoops. McCaffery, son of former Iowa men’s head coach Fran McCaffery, played both basketball and baseball at Iowa before joining Butler's staff in 2024.


Their shared values are evident in Clark's breakout rookie season with the Fever and McCaffery's commitment to the Bulldogs program. Their support for Indianapolis basketball is becoming as much about off-court impact as wins and losses.



As Clark continues her meteoric rise and McCaffery's voice grows within Butler, their combined influence on Indiana's basketball culture shows no signs of slowing down. 


## WNBA Star Caitlin Clark Gifts Butler Bulldogs Kobe Shoes, Cementing Indianapolis Connection

**A gesture of generosity and community building highlights the 

Connor McCaffery Doesn’t Hold Back About Girlfriend Caitlin 

Connor McCaffery Doesn’t Hold Back About Girlfriend Caitlin Clark

## Two Former Assistants Lead Their Alma Maters

**Cantarella Takes Over Softball at Dunmore; Hooper Heads Girls Basketball at Mid Valley**

Two familiar faces are stepping into head coaching roles at their alma maters this fall. Sarah (Ross) Cantarella has been named the new softball coach at Dunmore, while Stephen Hooper takes the helm of the girls basketball program at Mid Valley. 

Both coaches recently served as assistant coaches for the successful Mid Valley softball team that captured the District 2 Class 3A title and reached the PIAA Class 3A semifinals this spring. 

"I’m really excited and feel really fortunate to go back to a program that built me into the athlete and the person that I am today,” Cantarella said. “I want to be able to give back and help others do the same thing.”


Cantarella, a 2014 Dunmore graduate, returns to her high school after spending six seasons as an assistant softball coach under Mike Piercy at Mid Valley.  She played collegiately at Concordia College in New York before becoming a sixth-grade math teacher in the Mid Valley School District.

“I was really fortunate. Mid Valley is a wonderful program,” Cantarella said. “From coach Piercy and the other assistants, I learned so much and grew so much as a coach. I hope to be able to implement everything I learned from them into Dunmore and help build the program and be successful.”


Cantarella inherits a team that finished 12-9 overall last season, losing in the District 2 Class 2A semifinals to eventual champion Holy Redeemer. The Lady Bucks return several key players, including Rachel Walsh, a Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association second-team all-state selection in Class 2A.

Hooper, a 2009 Mid Valley graduate who played basketball for coach Mark Mazak, brings his coaching experience to the girls basketball program after 10 years as an assistant with the Mid Valley baseball team and seven seasons as a girls basketball assistant. He succeeds Denise Larson.


“I’m super excited to get to work,” Hooper said. “Being in the program, I know we have some girls coming back and some of the junior high girls coming up. It’s my alma mater and something I’ve always dreamed of doing since I got into coaching. I’m excited the school gave me the opportunity.”

Hooper's familiarity with the players gives him a head start as he aims to build on last season’s 15-8 record and first-round District 2 Class 4A playoff loss to Nanticoke Area.

“I feel like that’s a huge advantage for me,” Hooper said. “I’ve coached every girl at one point in junior high. The fact I don’t have to develop relationships, they’re already built in, has allowed me to hit the ground running as I take over.”


He plans to continue the defensive focus established by Larson and incorporate a faster-paced offense with the returning players.

“We were on the same page, that’s why we got along so well,” Hooper said. “We both wanted to be really gritty on the defensive end. I don’t foresee that changing. We want to get after it defensively.”



Hooper cites his former coach Mazak as a mentor and hopes to emulate his coaching style, building strong relationships with his players and creating a positive experience. 

These changes mark four new girls basketball coaches entering the Lackawanna League next season, with Dante Lucarelli at Old Forge, Joe Ferguson returning to North Pocono, and Jamie Armillay taking over at Riverside.




## Two Former Assistants Lead Their Alma Maters

**Cantarella Takes Over Softball at Dunmore; Hooper Heads Girls Basketball at Mid Valley**

Two familiar faces 

HIGH SCHOOL: Cantarella, Hooper tabbed as head coaches

## Hollywood Lights On BYU Basketball? Documentary in the Works

**Could a documentary capture BYU's historic rise in college basketball?** 

A Hollywood producer has reportedly pitched a film focused on the Cougars' 2025-26 season, according to ESPN.  If greenlit, it wouldn't just be a basketball story; it would delve into themes of belief and high expectations.

### A Star-Studded Cast is Ready for Prime Time

BYU already boasts a roster primed for the big screen:

* **AJ Dybantsa:** The 6-foot-10 phenom projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He's athletic, powerful, and playing under a lucrative NIL deal.
* **Richie Saunders:** A sharpshooter and emotional leader who helped BYU reach the Sweet Sixteen last season.
* **Keba Keita:** A high-flying center with immense upside and another returning contributor from the team's tournament run.

The cast is further bolstered by head coach Kevin Young, an NBA veteran quickly becoming one of college basketball's most intriguing leaders.

### Underdog to Contender: The Plot Thickens 

BYU stunned critics last season with a second-weekend NCAA Tournament appearance – their first since the Jimmer Fredette era in 2011.  Over the final two months, they led the nation in offensive efficiency, shooting 37% from deep and nearly 60% inside the arc.

Their success defied expectations, creating a compelling narrative for a documentary: underdog overachievers reloading with elite talent. Now, BYU is no longer sneaking up on anyone; ESPN has already named them a national title contender.


###  A Spotlight Could Change Everything

A documentary wouldn't just tell BYU's story; it could shape its future. National exposure from a series like "Last Chance U" or "Full Court Press" could impact recruiting, fan engagement, and elevate the program's national standing. If the Cougars make a deep tournament run with Dybantsa at the helm, it could change how they are viewed across the country.


Coach Young, with NBA ties and a modern approach, already attracts top talent. A high-profile documentary would amplify what he is building in Provo.

###  Will Cameras Roll? 

While there's no official greenlight yet, the interest is palpable. The buzz is growing. If cameras arrive at the Marriott Center this fall, BYU fans might not just witness history; they could be a part of it.



Stay tuned. Something big is brewing in Provo.


## Hollywood Lights On BYU Basketball? Documentary in the Works

**Could a documentary capture BYU's historic rise in college basketball?** 

A Hollywood produc

#Basketball

Connor McCaffery Doesn’t Hold Back About Girlfriend Caitlin Clark

HIGH SCHOOL: Cantarella, Hooper tabbed as head coaches

Hollywood eyes BYU Basketball’s 2025-26 season