ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 16: Caitlin Clark 22 of Indiana warms up prior to the start of the WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream on August 16th, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA. Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire WNBA: AUG 16 Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260816069
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 16: Caitlin Clark 22 of Indiana warms up prior to the start of the WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream on August 16th, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA. Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire WNBA: AUG 16 Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260816069
While Caitlin Clark’s Team USA stint in Berlin has already drawn global attention, the Indiana Fever guard got engaged in another heartwarming gesture we can’t help but swoon over.
Per a YouTube video posted by The Ballers Magazine, Team USA invited Berlin-based USA Marines to practice on September 6, 2026. In the video, Clark could be seen reaching for a handshake with a US Marine who approached her, saying, “Hi, Caitlin!”
The next moment, he revealed being from Iowa and even got an Iowa flag for Clark to sign. The Fever guard didn’t waste a moment signing it and posing for a photo, holding the flag with the Marine. She even asked him, “Which part of Iowa?”
USA Caitlin Clark and Italy Francesca Pasa fight for the ball during a game between The United States and Italy in the group phase at the FIBA Women s Basketball World Cup, on Sunday 6 September 2026, in Berlin, Germany. The FIBA Women s Basketball World Cup takes place in Berlin from 4 to 23 September 2026. VIRGINIExLEFOUR PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBELxFRAxNEDxLUX x185482511x
USA Caitlin Clark and Italy Francesca Pasa fight for the ball during a game between The United States and Italy in the group phase at the FIBA Women s Basketball World Cup, on Sunday 6 September 2026, in Berlin, Germany. The FIBA Women s Basketball World Cup takes place in Berlin from 4 to 23 September 2026. VIRGINIExLEFOUR PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBELxFRAxNEDxLUX x185482511x
While Team USA’s 55-52 victory over Italy pushed them to a quarterfinals berth, this interactive session was a special touch, as schedules rarely permit the Marine Corps to attend games. USA Basketball also shared some photos of the event on socials.
“It was a pleasure to welcome Berlin-based members of the U.S. Marine Corps to practice today! Thank you for your service & your support of the 🇺🇸,” their official X post read on September 6, 2026.
Coming back to Clark, this moment also reiterated what Iowa still means to her.
Iowa's Lasting Impact on Caitlin Clark
The West Des Moines native played 4 college years for the Iowa Hawkeyes, leading them to two consecutive national championship games in 2023 and 2024, while becoming the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer for both men and women.
A collegiate career full of accolades led the Hawkeyes to retire and hang her No. 22 in the rafters. In her farewell message to the crowd in Carver-Hawkeye Arena on April 11, 2024, Clark called Iowa home. Approximately 8,000 fans bore witness.
“I would say you’ve all inspired me as much as I inspired you,” she said, per The Hill’s John Bohnenkamp. “You allowed me to live out my dream every single day, and for that, I’m very thankful. It’s been very special, and this place will always be home to me.”
Signing an Iowa flag in Berlin may not have been on Clark’s 2026 bingo card, but it happened and probably brought back great memories.
Team USA takes on the Czech Republic on September 8. Are you excited? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Deblina Roy