Lisa Bluder will be present at the Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces game on Tuesday night

Caitlin Clark, the WNBA with the Indiana Fever, recently shared her thoughts on the retirement of her former coach at Iowa, Lisa Bluder.

Bluder, a prominent figure in women’s basketball, concluded her illustrious career on May 13, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and numerous accolades.

Caitlin Clark surprises by helping a rival and faces a strong response from her

Caitlin Clark shows love to Lisa Bluder

Bluder’s influence was on full display at a recent WNBA game between Clark’sIndiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces, where Clark faced off against her best friend and former teammate, Kate Martin.

Bluder, along with current Iowa coach Jan Jensen, attended the game to support their former players.

Expressing her admiration, Clark posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying, “Love you coach! My retired queen.”

This sentiment reflects the deep bond and mutual respect between Clark and Bluder, a relationship that has flourished since Clark’s freshman year at Iowa.

Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin reunited with Lisa Bluder prior to their WNBA matchup 🔥🤩

(📸: lisabluder on IG)#CaitlinClark #WNBA pic.twitter.com/lYZVird0dq

— CollegeSportsSK (@CollegeSportsSK)

July 2, 2024

Bluder’s undying praise for Caitlin Clark & Kate Martin

Bluder’s tenure at Iowa was marked by significant achievements, including leading the Hawkeyes to two consecutive NCAA championship games.

Although she never secured a national title, her role in shaping players like Clark into global superstars is a testament to her coaching prowess.

Bluder’s ability to develop talent was evident as she spoke about her pride in seeing her former players succeed on the professional stage.

“[It was] so rewarding,”Bluder said.

“When you see your athletes achieve their dreams, that’s what coaching is all about. I absolutely love it. They’re doing what they love to do. And when all three of them were on the floor at the same time, that was a pretty cool moment.”

Bluder also highlighted the importance of the camaraderie between Clark and Martin in the WNBA, noting, “Caitlin has someone she can talk to who gets it I think she really needs that.”

Bluder’s career spanned 40 years, during which she became the all-time winningest coach in Iowa women’s basketball history.

Her leadership brought the Hawkeyes eight consecutive 20-win seasons and two Final Four appearances, solidifying her status as a coaching legend.

Beyond Iowa, Bluder’s impact was felt during her tenures at St. Ambrose University and Drake University, where she transformed both programs.