INDIANA FEVER
Indiana Fever

Iowa Hawkeyes coach reveals Caitlin Clark's secret bond with teammates that led to success

Clark dominated the NCAA scene and part of why is her ability to be a team player

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder, left, guard Caitlin Clark and guard Kate...
Iowa coach Lisa Bluder, left, guard Caitlin Clark and guard Kate MartinLAPRESSE

Caitlin Clark's former coach at the Iowa Hawkeyes revealed her close bond with her teammates transcended all individual qualities, as the 22-year-old NCAA legend developed her skills as a team player.

Now the WNBA Rookie of the Year with the Indiana Fever, the point guard had a meteoric rise through the sport and dominated the college scene by claiming the overall points record from the iconic Pete Maravich.

And for Raina Harmon, an assistant coach at the Hawkeyes, it was all part of a carefully crafted culture that Clark and her teammates bought into as they created unstoppable connections and an eternal bond.

"Close. Like we're all just close," Harmon told Taco-Bout Network's Fresh Tawk of Clark's connections. "And it doesn't matter where people are from, what you believe, we're just close. So you and some of them that left this past year, you guys are really tight.

"But it also wouldn't be anything to see you guys hanging out with Sydney [Affolter], or like hanging out with Hannah [Stuelke] or Caitlin hanging out with Kylie. So I think there's just mutual respect and actual friendship.

"Everybody can bring their authentic self to our space and our circle and I think that's what's most important."

Harmon reveals key to success

Harmon, who is now eight years into her coaching journey with the Hawkeyes, and doubles as director of recruiting, has helped guide the organization to a 185-52 record as of Tuesday, November 12.

And she credits the unique mentality of the college as to why they are so successful by revealing how it differs to when she first arrived on the college coaching scene.

"When I came into coaching," Harmon added. "I would always hear this thing like, 'We don't need you to be friends, we just need you to be good teammates on the floor.'

"Sure that's fine, but you can have a lot more success if you're actually friends. So that's what I realized, like you guys actually love each other, you guys actually do things with each other out of basketball.

"And the way that you guys know each other off the court just helps all the success that we've had on the court."

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