Let’s be real, Instagram photo dumps have become a modern-day art form—a little chaotic, a little curated, and just enough randomness to spark intrigue. But when Tommy Alter, former co-host of The Old Man and the Three podcast with JJ Redick, decided to drop his latest batch of snapshots, it wasn’t the artsy captions or blurry skylines that stole the show. Nope, it was the unexpected cameos from basketball’s most buzzworthy couples: Caitlin Clark and her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, alongside Tyrese Haliburton and his girlfriend, Jade Jones.
Alter’s post—casual, unbothered, and screaming “this isn’t staged, I swear”—caught the attention of Iowa Hawkeye royalty Clark, who double-tapped the post in support. The real entertainment, however, came in the comments. McCaffery, embracing his role as an NBA insider (or maybe just a supportive boyfriend), dropped a one-word mic-drop comment: “Legend.” Meanwhile, Jade Jones chimed in with a trio of heart emojis, proving that minimalism is an art form on social media.
So what exactly was so “legendary” about Alter’s photo dump? The fourth photo in the series—a who’s-who of Indiana basketball connections—featured McCaffery, Haliburton, and Jones, sparking a mini frenzy in the basketball world. It’s not every day you see such a harmonious blending of hoops and romance in one frame. It’s almost as if basketball power couples have their own gravitational pull—just ask Justin Timberlake, who might’ve caught the vibe when this squad showed up at his recent concert.
From Courtside to Coach’s Corner
For those out of the loop, Connor McCaffery isn’t just Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend. He’s a former Iowa Hawkeye himself, with a respectable 166-game college career spanning from 2017 to 2023. Sure, his career stats (4.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game) won’t have anyone confusing him for Steph Curry, but let’s give the man credit—he’s carved out a solid post-playing career. McCaffery joined the Indiana Pacers as part of their coaching staff in 2023, focusing on film study and scout team duties before taking on a new role as an assistant coach for Butler.
It’s been a busy year for McCaffery, both professionally and personally. He and Caitlin Clark, the reigning queen of Iowa basketball turned Indiana Fever star, reportedly started dating in April 2023. Talk about a power couple—Clark’s been shattering records and turning heads in the WNBA while McCaffery has been climbing the coaching ranks.
Tyrese and Jade: A College Love Story
On the other side of this Instagram saga are Tyrese Haliburton and Jade Jones, who’ve been giving us all major college sweetheart vibes. Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers’ dynamic point guard, met Jones during their time at Iowa State. He was dishing dimes on the court, and she was hyping up the Cyclones as a cheerleader. Fast forward to today, and the two are still a picture-perfect duo, often spotted at games and events looking like they walked straight out of a rom-com.
Hoops, Harmony, and Justin Timberlake
If you thought this crew only hangs out at basketball-related events, think again. Just last month, Clark, Haliburton, McCaffery, and Jones were spotted courtside as Butler took down Western Michigan in a dominant 85-65 win. But they don’t just limit themselves to hardwoods and hoops. Earlier this week, the gang traded their courtside seats for concert tickets, attending Justin Timberlake’s performance at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
In a photo snapped during the concert, Timberlake could be seen in the background, seemingly looking their way. Was he impressed by their basketball-world clout? Or was he just wondering who these impossibly well-dressed, basketball-connected couples were? Either way, the moment was immortalized on IG, further solidifying their status as Indiana’s unofficial royal family of basketball.
Social Media Wins Again
Tommy Alter’s Instagram post has now become the kind of wholesome content that fuels sports fans’ group chats. A former podcaster drops a photo dump, and suddenly, we’re dissecting everything from Jade Jones’ emoji usage to Connor McCaffery’s legendary comment. In a world where social media often gets a bad rap, this is the kind of drama we can all enjoy—lighthearted, basketball-adjacent, and just ridiculous enough to keep us entertained.
So here’s to more photo dumps, more courtside hangouts, and more unexpected moments of basketball royalty mingling with the rest of us. And to Tommy Alter—thank you for keeping Instagram fun.
