WATCH: PG Elina Aarnisalo reflects on return to UCLA

Elina Aarnisalo remembers first arriving at UCLA for her first stint with the women’s basketball team as a freshman in 2024. Just communicating with her teammates, in addition to adapting to her new surroundings upon coming over from Finland, was its own transition. Take advantage of Bruin Report Online’s 50% off deal!!! Join the No. 1 independent source on UCLA sports and recruiting with one of our best deals!! Get unmatched insider Bruin coverage on UCLA football, UCLA basketball, and recruiting for the equivalent of 16 cents a day, $1.15 a week, $5 a month, or $60 billed for the whole year!! There is no promo code required for this offer, just HIT THIS LINK now, and you’ll be good to go!! The point guard then headed to North Carolina via the transfer portal for an expanded starting role. After one season in Chapel Hill, though, she is back in Westwood for her junior year after the Bruins’ entire starting lineup and six players in all were drafted into the WNBA this spring. It was that player development and success of her one-time teammates coupled with the wide-open opportunity for more minutes compared to the first go-around that lured Aarnisalo back. Aarnisalo is one of five transfers looking to help the Bruins defend their national championship in the upcoming season. “I’m super excited for this team,” Aarnisalo said after a Thursday summer practice before the team heads north of the border for an exhibition against Canada’s senior national team next week. “Obviously, for myself too, a lot of new pieces still trying to figure out each other, and I’m also still trying to find my role on this team. … I’m really trying to step into that point guard role where I really help others and lead the team. “It’s been great just seeing the same coaches, seeing the people I already know. I’ve really felt the love and the family atmosphere here when coming back. Obviously, a lot of new teammates, but it’s just been great vibes.” As a freshman with the Bruins, the 5-foot-10 guard made 10 starts and averaged 5.1 points, 3.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game while appearing in all 37 games in the 2024-25 season. Last season, Aarnisalo’s numbers improved to 10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.9 steals while starting 26 of 36 games for the Tar Heels. She was the only North Carolina player to score 20 or more points in multiple contests. “I’ve grown a lot, become more mature,” Aarnisalo said. “Now, coming here, taking another step, just feeling more confident with my individual game, but also how I can speak English better now and how I can communicate with other people.” Watch the full press conference below to get more thoughts from Aarnisalo on how her game has improved over the course of the year, the connection she’s beginning to form with fellow transfer guard and new roommate Donovyn Hunter, and more: