University of North Carolina Athletics
2025-26 Women's Basketball Roster
Jan 15 (Thu)
7 PM
Elina Aarnisalo
- Position:
- G
- Height:
- 5-10
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Helsinki, Finland
- High School:
- Mäkelänrinne Upper Secondary School
- Prev School:
- UCLA
2025-26 (Non-Conference): Played in all 13 non-conference games, starting in 12 … Posted a season-high 16 points twice, at Texas and against Charleston Southern … Earned a career-best eight rebounds against Elon … Knocked down a three triples against UNCG to match her career-best … Five games dishing out for or more assists … Nine games with double-figure scoring … Drained 14 total triples, shooting 38.9% from beyond the arc … Averaged 11.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
At UCLA
2024-25: Appeared in all 37 games for UCLA in her debut campaign, making 10 starts … Tallied a season-high 19 points against Colgate, shooting 8-of-10 from the field … Dished out a season-best 11 assists against Arkansas … Scored 13 points in the Bruins win over then No. 1 South Carolina … Five games in double-figure scoring … 12 games with five or more assists … Averaged 5.1 points, 3.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game.
More on Aarnisalo: Daughter of Piaa and Antti Aarnisalo …. Played in the Finland Korisliiga with HBA-Marksy prior to her collegiate career, averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game … Also spent time in the BNXT League in Belgium with the Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen … Represented her home country of Finland at the 2022 FIBA U18 Women’s European Championships, posting 17.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game … Chose UNC because of the program’s winning mentality, great education and the focus on player development … Enjoys playing tennis, shopping or watching other sports outside of basketball … Looks up to Sabrina Ionescu and Marine Johannes … Can speak four languages.
