BREAKING: UNC Women’s Basketball lands transfer guard with Final Four experience
UNC women’s basketball has added another key piece to its roster through the transfer portal, as former UCLA guard Elina Aarnisalo is set to continue her college career in Chapel Hill. The Finnish native, a 5-foot-10 guard, played a vital role in UCLA’s journey to the Final Four. As a freshman, she averaged 5.1 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in nearly 21 minutes per game across 37 contests, including 10 starts. While she struggled from beyond the arc (27% from three), she proved efficient overall, shooting 43.7% from the field and over 77% from the free-throw line.
Following the addition of Nyla Harris to bolster the frontcourt, UNC has now strengthened its backcourt with Aarnisalo—helping to offset the departures of Grace Townsend (graduation) and Trayanna Crisp (transfer).
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, UNC fans have reason to be optimistic about the team’s backcourt. With Reniya Kelly and Lanie Grant returning, Aarnisalo brings a skill set that complements both players. All three are versatile guards who can handle the ball and score, giving head coach Courtney Banghart the flexibility to adapt her rotations as needed.
“We’re absolutely excited to welcome Elina to our Tar Heel family,” said Courtney Banghart on Tuesday. “She brings a wealth of high-level experience, including competing in the NCAA Final Four and on the international stage. Elina is a fierce competitor and a creative playmaker who can generate opportunities both for herself and her teammates. She’s going to help us push the pace and play a cohesive, up-tempo style.
Just as important, she immediately fit into our team culture—the players connected with her almost instantly. I’ve been following Elina since her early days competing in Finland and Belgium, and I’m thrilled that the time has finally come for me to coach her. Time to get to work!”
Banghart previously emphasized the need to be selective with transfer portal additions this offseason, and Aarnisalo appears to be an ideal fit—bringing youth, talent, and valuable postseason experience to the program.