“Her nickname is Big Fish”: Geno Auriemma heaps praise for UConn freshmen Kelis Fisher and Gandy Malou-Mamel
Geno Auriemma is already bonding with his new recruits. The legendary UConn coach discussed incoming freshmen Kelis Fisher and Gandy Malou-Mamel on Monday while hosting a charity golf tournament at the Hartford Golf Club in Connecticut.
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Auriemma's golf event is part of a charity series that helps raise funds for Connecticut Children's Medical Center. In a video posted on Instagram on Monday, he was seen giving a funny reply when asked by the media about his new kids in the Huskies' lineup.
"The high school kids? Gandy is 18 going on 32. Kelis is 18 going on 12. We’re having fun with all of that," Auriemma said.
"Kelis said her nickname is Big Fish. I go, 'Who calls you that other than you?' I said I never heard anybody call you Big Fish. So she’s already delusional. She thinks she should be called Big Fish by everybody."
Coach Auriemma announced the signing of Gandy Malou-Mamel and Kelis Fisher to the Huskies' 2025 freshman class in November last year. He praised the duo in his statement, saying that he's excited and it was a pleasure recruiting the pair because they want to come to UConn and join the basketball program.
Fisher, who attended IMG Academy in Florida, led her school to its first-ever Chipotle Nationals championship, scoring 23 points and issuing five assists in the title game.
Malou-Mamel, on the other hand, made waves in the 2024 FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket Division B tournament. She was a double-double machine for Ireland, averaging 10.6 points and 10.0 rebounds in the event.
Geno Auriemma adds Kayleigh Heckel and Serah Williams through the transfer portal
Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies wasted no time strengthening their lineup following the departure of star player Paige Bueckers. They secured the commitments of Serah Williams and Kayleigh Heckel this offseason, adding the talented pair through the transfer portal.
Heckel transferred to UConn after spending her freshman season at USC. She averaged 6.1 points, 1.9 dimes and 1.3 steals in her first year with the Trojans, helping USC reach the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Williams impressed in her junior year with the Badgers, averaging 19.2 points, 9.8 boards and 2.3 blocks through 30 games to lead all Wisconsin players in the 2024-25 NCAA season.