When Caitlin Clark finally broke the NCAA women's all-time scoring record in February, the crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Stadium erupted with applause. The thousands in attendance roared when the record-breaking bucket dropped, and the celebrations continued on throughout the evening, with Iowa taking down Michigan in a Big Ten matchup.
While there were plenty of diehard Hawkeye fans and devoted Clark followers who were thrilled to see the Iowa senior surpass Kelsey Plum for the all-time women's scoring mark, no one was happier than a group of four who know Clark's talent all too well — her family.
The No. 1 pick in this year's WNBA Draft has had plenty of supporters during her illustrious career. However, the beauty of playing college ball in her home state meant her parents and siblings were able to get a front row viewing of her elite play.
Caitlin Clark celebrates with her family after her record-setting night.
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) February 16, 2024
And the emotions pour out.
This is the good stuff. pic.twitter.com/8eViemCoxz
It may be cliche to say, but it's true: There is no more important thing in life than family, and the Clarks are no different.
Here is more to know about Clark's parents and her siblings.
MORE: Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark enters 2024 WNBA Draft
Caitlin Clark family's tree
Caitlin Clark's father: Brent Clark
Clark's father, Brent, also was a college basketball player. He played his collegiate years at Simpson College, a Division III school based out of Indianola, Iowa. In addition, he also played baseball for the Storm.
The patriarch said that even at a young age, he could tell his daughter was going to be a special player.
"I don’t recall that she would ever miss a shot," Brent said in a 2023 interview with KCRG. "The baskets were at five or six feet. She would just pull up from free throw line and swish. She could also really handle the ball at that age."
Brent was Caitlin's coach in basketball at the youth level. He said that he sees similarities between himself and his daughter when she's on the court.
"I see a lot of myself in Caitlin in terms of passion for the game," Brent said.
That passion was showing during Iowa's first-round matchup against No. 16 Holy Cross. Clark could be seen frustrated with officials, and the camera appeared to show Brent telling her not to complain. He also appeared to request she be taken out of the game.
Caitlin Clark's dad said to "take her out". @TheIowaHawkeyes rolling, but Clark is struggling with turnovers and expressing frustration. #Iowa #MarchMadness2024 pic.twitter.com/stZMs5MKiO
— Diesel (@bigdiesel2219) March 23, 2024
caitlin clark complaining to the officials & her dad just telling her to shut up has me in tears man😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/5JnhMPn4lg
— cj (@wsgadlibs) March 23, 2024
Currently, he is an executive vice president at Concentric International, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Caitlin Clark's mother: Anne Nizzi-Clark
Clark's mother is Anne. She is the daughter of Bob Nizzi, a former football coach, counselor and administrator for over two decades at Dowling Catholic, where the Clark children have all attended school.
Nizzi-Clark has been an avid supporter of her daughter throughout her entire basketball career. Last year, she called the Iowa star's play "amazing" and talked about how proud she was of Caitlin.
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"Honestly, it’s just been a fabulous journey thus far and super proud of her," Nizzi Clark said. "When you see all these people here after being here last year — how much it’s grown and the respect and the attention, the women’s game is gaining. It just puts it in perspective for you. That’s really how lucky we are. And what a big dream this is for her."
Caitlin and her mom not only have a close personal relationship, but a working one as well. Nizzi-Clark has a background in marketing, previously working as a vice president of product marketing at American Enterprise Group Inc. Now, she helps her daughter’s career by leading strategic partnerships for CC22 Ventures LLC, a company that helps Clark take advantage of her name, image and likeness to turn a profit.
How many brothers does Caitlin Clark have?
Clark has two brothers, Blake and Colin. She is the middle child, with Blake as her older sibling and Colin as the younger.
Blake Clark
Blake is a former college football quarterback. After a successful career at Dowling Catholic, he enrolled at Iowa State, where he played for the Cyclones from 2019 to 2022. With the program, he was primarily used as the team's holder on field goals, although he did throw one pass as a freshman and scored a two-point conversation in 2022.
Blake was at Iowa State at the same time as 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. The former Cyclones starting QB was a year ahead of Blake, but the two were on the roster together for three seasons.
Blake said that growing up, all the family knew was sports, whether that meant playing or watching.
"We were always involved in sports and at home we were always around sports," Blake said in a 2021 interview with the Cedar Rapids Gazette. "We watched sports at night whether we would go to Drake and watch basketball games, or watch cousins play their basketball games, or tournaments, when you’re just around something that much, it’s what you do, too."
While he carved a collegiate career on the gridiron, Blake also played basketball in high school. Caitlin said Blake knows the game "really, really well" and that the two constantly talk about basketball.
"I think that’s always something I can lean on him whenever I have a tough game or things aren’t going my way," Caitlin said in the 2021 article by the Cedar Rapids Gazette. "He usually always watches if it’s on TV, or we have Big Ten+ and he pays to watch it, but I think he’s really honest, but I know it’s in the best interest of myself.
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"I basically talk to him everyday, even if it’s not about football or basketball, we stay in touch a lot. Just seeing what’s going on in each other’s lives. He’s always someone I can lean on, even if it’s about school or just something in life, he’s always there for me."
Colin Clark
Colin is also a former basketball player. The youngest of the three Clark children, Colin also was a star hooper at Dowling Catholic, where he graduated last spring. He also participated in track and field.
Caitlin has been an avid support of her younger brother. During his playing days, she constantly reposted and commented on highlights of his playing days at Dowling.
"I think Blake and Caitlin are always watching him online and following him, too," their mom said. "That is probably even more special to watch, and take the time to come back and watch him and support him, and beat up on him a little bit, too. That part has been amazing."
