Former Bruin Returns to UCLA WBB in Transfer Portal

North Carolina Tar Heels guard Elina Aarnisalo (17) shoots against the Louisville Cardinals in the second quarter at Gas South Arena.

After a stint with North Carolina, rising junior guard Elina Aarnisalo is returning to UCLA through the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. Aarnisalo played her freshman season with the Bruins then joined the Tar Heels last offseason.

Aarnisalo is the second player UCLA has picked up since the transfer portal opened on April 6. Former Arkansas guard Bonnie Deas was the first player to commit to UCLA this offseason.

UCLA will need to be active in the transfer portal to make up for the loss of its entire starting lineup. The Bruins’ six graduating players, who are all entering the 2026 WNBA Draft, accounted for all 79 points in UCLA’s 79-51 victory over South Carolina in the national championship game.

UCLA coach Cori Close said she plans to add at least five players through the transfer portal, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Aarnisalo Was A Standout Freshman For UCLA

When Aarnisalo initially played for UCLA during the 2024-25 season, she was a key part of the Bruins’ rotation. The Finnish guard played in all 37 games for the Bruins and made 10 starts as a freshman.

Aarnisalo averaged 5.1 points, 3.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game. She also helped UCLA reach the Final Four for the first time in the NCAA era.

UCLA Bruins guard Elina Aarnisalo (7) controls the ball against Connecticut Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) during first quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena.

Aarnisalo’s decision to transfer to North Carolina was likely because she would have seen a reduction in playing time this season. Graduate student guard Charlisse Leger-Walker was returning from an injury, and graduate student guard Gianna Kneepkens transferred to UCLA.

As a sophomore at North Carolina, Aarnisalo played in all 36 games and started in 26 of those games. She averaged 10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.9 steals per game.

Now, Aarnisalo is back with the Bruins and will contribute to the rebuilding phase for the defending national champions.

Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images