"Mild compared to what I call them": Geno Auriemma makes his feelings known about his "Girl Boo" nickname
Geno Auriemma has sparked plenty of nicknames from his players over the years. Paige Bueckers has called some of his habits "Geno-isms," while Seattle Storm's Nika Muhl referred to him as "Grampy." Now, KK Arnold has coined another phrase inspired by the 70-year-old coach - "Girl Boo."
When asked about his understanding of the phrase, Auriemma fired back with a witty response.
"Well, that's mild compared to what I call them," Geno Auriemma said. "So, whatever that means. Is it good? It's a good thing? Okay."
"I don't understand a lot of stuff that they say. Ignorance is bliss you know, so, I'm glad I don't know anything about what they say because then whatever they say, I smile. So, I'm better off not knowing, seriously man."
KK Arnold claims that "Girl Boo" is used as a slang to dismiss a person when they say something that something disapproving. To explain, Paige Bueckers pointed at Arnold, citing that she has no style. Arnold simply replied with "Girl Boo," showcasing the correct usage of the phrase to fans.
Paige Bueckers' explains the meaning of her slang for Geno Auriemma
During her summer visit to the WNBA All-Star event, Bueckers touched on her unique relationship with Geno Auriemma on the "A Touch More" podcast with Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe. She also explained the meaning of "Geno-ism," a term she coined for Auriemma's habits.
"It's just the exaggerations," Bueckers said. "Like, you are the worst player he has ever coached, you are the dumbest person he has ever met. All these exaggerations. Like, I know you're lying, so I don't care what you say."
With that, Bueckers also recounted Auriemma's contradictions, where he claims that he has seen it all in his 40 years of coaching, only to later scold a player by claiming that something is the dumbest thing he has ever witnessed.
"My favorite thing is when he's like, 'I've been coaching for 40 years, like I've seen it all,'" Bueckers said. "And then the next practice he'll be like 'that's the dumbest s*** I've ever seen, I've never seen that before in my life.' And I'm like 'Bro, you can't have both. You've gotta pick one. Have you seen it? Or have you not?"
Paige Bueckers referred to Geno Auriemma as "Himothy" when the UConn coach became the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history earlier this season. The slang aims to portray someone as the greatest of great and is an extension of "I'm Him," a popular phrase within the basketball world.