Jada Gyamfi, Iowa’s forward extraordinaire, is gearing up for her junior year with a heart full of memories—and a nose full of Caitlin Clark’s scent. Yes, you read that right.
In a recent episode of her podcast, “Fresh Tawk,” Gyamfi didn’t just talk about her emotional reunion with her former Iowa teammates, Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin—she practically sniffed it out. After all, nothing says “I miss you” quite like inhaling your best friend’s cheeks and hair. It’s like aromatherapy, but with a side of basketball.
The trio, who once shared the court at Iowa, had their worlds turned upside down after the last game in April. Clark and Martin went on to join the WNBA, leaving Gyamfi to reminisce about the good old days, which apparently included some intense cheek-sniffing sessions.
“I’ve got to stop being so emotional every time I see you,” Gyamfi confessed, holding back tears—or maybe just holding in a sneeze from all that sniffing. “But seriously, Caitlin, I got to see her this weekend. We sat on the couch, and I just found myself holding her hand, rubbing her shoulder, and yes, smelling her cheeks and hair. It’s so weird, but also, I mean, who wouldn’t?”
We’re not sure if this was a Hallmark moment or a moment for a hygiene commercial, but one thing’s clear: Gyamfi really knows how to show love—one whiff at a time.
While Gyamfi prepares for her junior year, where she’s expected to have a slightly bigger role (and perhaps a stronger sense of smell), her stats from last season might need a little boost. With an average of 1.4 points in 4.0 minutes per game, she’s definitely got some room to grow—hopefully into a star player and not just Caitlin Clark’s personal perfumer.
Kate Martin, now with the Las Vegas Aces, also opened up about how tough it’s been adjusting to life without Gyamfi just a few flights of stairs away. “We all lived in the same apartment complex. I could literally hear when Jada flushed the toilet,” Martin laughed. “Now, we’re like a 20-hour drive apart. Talk about long-distance relationships!”
In the same breath, Martin gave Gyamfi a reality check on adulting, sharing tales of paying medical expenses and buying contact lenses. Maybe that’s why Gyamfi is so emotional—real life is expensive!
To sum it all up, the love these former Hawkeyes share is as strong as ever—so strong that it might even be detectable by scent. With Caitlin and Kate chasing dreams in the WNBA, and Jada gearing up for a pivotal junior year, this trio proves that distance may separate them, but the memories (and the smells) linger on.
And for those wondering, the next time you catch Jada Gyamfi on the court, just remember: she’s not just playing for points, she’s playing for all the feels—and maybe a few familiar fragrances.
