Running it back: Guard Elina Aarnisalo commits to head back to UCLA

For the second time in her collegiate career, Elina Aarnisalo has committed to the UCLA Bruins. Aarnisalo announced the news on Twitter Sunday evening. Aarnisalo helps fill some of UCLA’s immediate need in their backcourt.

UCLA needs capable guard play

Losing Kiki Rice and Charlisse Leger-Walker, the Bruins need a point guard to run their offense. Aarnisalo is familiar with the system, as she played for UCLA her freshman season back in 2024-2025.

It was a very solid freshman season with the Bruins

As a Bruin, Aarnisalo posted 5.1 points and 3.4 assists in 21 minutes per game and looked like a future contributor. With Leger-Walker and Gianna Kneepkens in the picture for UCLA this past season, Aarnisalo jumped in the portal and headed to Chapel Hill.

Elina Aarnisalo took on a larger offensive role

Aarnisalo impressed this year with North Carolina, putting up 10.2 points per game, upping her three-point percentage to 40.4%. The playmaking displayed her freshman season didn’t translate though, with her assists dropping to 2.9 per game despite playing 26.7 minutes per game.

A reunion makes sense

The news doesn’t come as a total surprise. Aarnisalo entered the portal with a ‘do not contact’ tag, so a return to a familiar coaching staff, with a pressing need, makes sense. Aarnisalo could very well end up in the Bruins starting lineup, starting 10 games for Cori Close back in the 2024-2025 season.

UCLA has added a pair of guards

Aarnisalo isn’t the first guard that Close has picked up this portal season. UCLA grabbed Arkansas’ Bonnie Deas, giving the Bruins another option at guard. Those options are much-needed, Christina Karamouzi is the only returning guard for UCLA.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA adds a familiar guard with commitment of Elina Aarnisalo