UNC sophomore guard Elina Aarnisalo enters transfer portal after breakout season
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- UNC sophomore guard Elina Aarnisalo entered the transfer portal after 2025‑26.
- Aarnisalo averaged 10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 36 games.
- Tar Heels lose a floor‑spacing playmaker while adding recruit Kate Harpring.
Sophomore guard Elina Aarnisalo, a starter for the UNC women’s basketball team during the 2025‑26 season, has entered the NCAA transfer portal, a source confirmed to the N&O.
Aarnisalo becomes the third Tar Heel to enter the portal this offseason, joining teammates Lanie Grant and Taliyah Henderson who have also elected to explore opportunities elsewhere following North Carolina’s Sweet 16 exit.
A 5‑foot‑10 guard from Helsinki, Finland, Aarnisalo arrived in Chapel Hill after spending her freshman season at UCLA. She started 26 of 36 games for the Tar Heels last season, emerging as one of Carolina’s most reliable playmakers and scorers. Aarnisalo averaged 10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, led the team in scoring on multiple occasions, and knocked down 38 3-pointers at a 40.4% clip.
She posted several career-high performances toward the end of the season, including 22 points in the regular-season finale against Duke and 21 against Maryland in the NCAA Tournament, and logged seven games with five or more assists.
Aarnisalo’s ability to stretch the floor and create for others gave coach Courtney Banghart’s backcourt a versatile look throughout the season. UNC will now navigate the offseason without one of its primary backcourt weapons from 2025‑26 — although the Tar Heels aren’t hurting for talent at the guard position, as they’ll welcome national high school player of the year Kate Harpring to Chapel Hill this upcoming season.
