The University of North Carolina went on something of a recruiting spree this summer and signed a whole host of new players to the team's roster, including UCLA transfer Elina Aarnisalo. And though Aarnisalo didn't have the strongest season last year with UCLA, she has a lot of potential — and UNC's coach Courtney Banghart may be exactly the person who can unlock it.
UNC announced the news in April 2025. "We are thrilled to add Elina to our Tar Heel program. She brings so much competitive experience, including her most recent time in an NCAA Final Four as well as extensive international competition," Banghart said. "Elina is an elite competitor and a dynamic play maker for herself and for others. She will help us play fast and connected."
Banghart also noted that Aarnisalo fits like a glove with the rest of the team, who wanted to sign her to the program nearly immediately.
Aarnisalo hails from Helsinki, Finland and racked up five games in double-figure scoring for the Bruins during her freshman season. She also played in all 37 of the team's games ahead of their Final Four appearance, and understands what it takes for a team to make it as far as UCLA did last year.
That's the kind of experience Banghart will want to have on the team as UNC prepares for what will be a tough 2025-26 season — and one that could culiminate in a similar kind of success.
UNC made a few big transfer portal moves this year
Aarnisalo was the second player that UNC recruited this year, and was preceded by the University of Louisville's Nyla Harris.
Harris, who entered the transfer portal in March following the Cardinals' loss to TCU, spoke to High Post Hoops earlier this year about her experience looking for a new program and what she is looking forward to the most at UNC.
Harris admitted that she went into the portal without knowing exactly what to expect and was even a little overwhelmed by how many schools quickly expressed strong interest in recruiting her. "I think the one thing that I can tell about a coach now that I've been through the portal experience is whether or not they're genuine," she explained. "I don't even have to be looking at them face-to-face, I can just hear it through your voice."
Harris also said that it was nearly immediately clear that UNC and Baghart, who had originally recruited her before she signed with Louisville, were serious about bringing her into the fold.
Joining UNC felt "natural," she added. "I think I had kind of trapped myself in [a box] based on the value that I was giving myself... but now my confidence is coming back, because I know that I bring value to a team. I know I can help a team win."