Overview
- Elina Aarnisalo announced Monday on social media that she is returning to UCLA as a transfer with two years of eligibility remaining.
- Aarnisalo entered the portal with a do-not-contact tag, which signals she handled outreach herself or had a destination in mind, according to reporter Ira Gorawara.
- At North Carolina last season, the Finnish guard started 26 games and averaged 10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists, with multiple 20-point outings and a Sweet 16 run.
- She becomes UCLA’s second portal addition alongside Arkansas guard Bonnie Deas, as coach Cori Close plans to add at least five transfers after the program lost its entire starting lineup that scored all 79 points in the title game.
- Some UCLA fans questioned the return on social media, even as coverage noted Close has spoken highly of Aarnisalo’s character and impact as a teammate.