Former Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball stars Gabbie Marshall, Kate Martin, and Caitlin Clark took over their old stomping grounds in Iowa City this weekend for a reunion that was equal parts nostalgia, sparkle, and hilarity. These college legends, who led the Iowa squad to last season’s impressive Big 12 and Final Four triumphs, were back on campus, receiving their championship rings and reveling in some long-overdue camaraderie.
Marshall, who’s now hitting the books hard in North Carolina for her Master’s in Occupational Therapy, didn’t hold back on sharing the joy, posting a series of heartwarming and humorous photos on Instagram, where the group looked like they were straight out of an Iowa fan catalog, dripping in colorful Hawkeye merch. Her caption summed it all up: “The best weekend being reunited with all my people 🥺🤍🥰.” And honestly, who doesn’t get a little misty-eyed when precious cargo (a.k.a. good friends) is involved?
The weekend wasn’t just about basking in Hawkeye pride, though. The former teammates attended the Iowa vs. Northwestern football game, where they were honored for their unforgettable NCAA tournament run. The fans roared, the lights flashed, and for a moment, it was like they were back on the hardwood.
Jada Gyamfi and the Lost Summer Adventure
For Jada Gyamfi, the weekend was a reunion with her “core four” crew. Gyamfi and Martin had initially hatched grand summer plans to explore life outside of the court with Marshall. But surprise! Life and the WNBA had other plans.
Kate Martin, now a Las Vegas Aces rookie (picked 18th, if you’re keeping track), spilled the tea about these foiled adventures on Gyamfi’s podcast, Fresh Tawk. They had mapped out a grand “two wild months” trip, free from basketball schedules and obligations—or so they thought. Then, in a plot twist no one saw coming, Martin went from supportive Caitlin Clark fan in the Brooklyn draft audience to a surprise draftee herself.
“Remember when you, me, and Gabbie were gonna go on a trip and it never happened because life happened so fast?” Martin laughed on the podcast. “It’s crazy because we were planning that trip like we were gonna have all this time together.” Ah, the sweet delusion of free time.
The Core Four and Their Unbreakable Bond
Despite life hurtling them into different directions—Marshall buried in textbooks, Clark lighting up the court for the Indiana Fever as the WNBA’s No. 1 draft pick, and Martin dominating with the Aces—the bond remains unbreakable. They may be rookies and students with packed schedules, but they make time for each other, proving that even pro-basketball dreams can’t keep true friends apart for long.
For Iowa fans, seeing the “core four” together again was a reminder of their relentless team spirit, skill, and personality that brought the Hawkeyes so much success. Here’s to hoping their next reunion plan doesn’t go quite so hilariously off the rails!