By R.L. Bynum
Sophomore guard Elina Aarnisalo has reportedly become the third UNC women’s player to enter the transfer portal.
Talia Goodman of On3 reported Wednesday morning that Aarnisalo, according to her sources, has entered the transfer portal with a “do not contact” tag. She joins Lanie Grant and Taliyah Henderson as Tar Heels in the portal. The Tar Heels are losing four of the five players who started in the Sweet 16 against UConn.
Aarnisalo, who led UNC in scoring over four of its last six games, transferred to Carolina after spending her freshman season at UCLA. The Bruins just won the national championship and will have to replace six seniors, including the entire starting lineup.
Among the UCLA players with no more eligibility are guards Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker.
Aarnisalo started 26 of 36 games for Carolina, averaging 10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
Her top three career scoring games were all last season: 22 in the 74–69 home win over Duke on March 1, 21 in the 74–66 NCAA tournament second-round win March 22 over Maryland and 20 in the 82–70 victory at Virginia on Feb. 26.
She flourished at point guard with Reniya Kelly missing the second half of the season, but incoming freshman Kate Harpring is expected to start at point guard from game one.
If Aaanisalo and Grant indeed move on from UNC, Kelly’s health becomes a bigger issue next season.
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Projected roster if all players with eligibility other than Elina Aarnisalo, Lanie Grant and Taliyah Henderson return, with years listed for next season (4 under the 15-player limit)
| Year | No./ Stars | Players | Pos. | Height | |
| Freshman | 5 star | Kate Harpring | PG | 5–10 | |
| Freshman | 4 star | Noelle Bofia | F | 6–4 | |
| Sophomore | 5 | Liza Astakhova | W | 6–2 | |
| Sophomore | 7 | Nyla Brooks | W | 6–1 | |
| Sophomore | 26 | Taissa Queiroz | G | 6–1 | |
| Junior | 34 | Blanca Thomas | C | 6–5 | |
| Junior | 1 | Jordan Zubich | G | 5–11 | |
| RS junior | 21 | Ciera Toomey | F | 6–4 | |
| RS junior | 4 | Laila Hull | W | 6–1 | |
| Senior | 10 | Reniya Kelly | G | 5–7 | |
| Senior | 15 | Sydney Barker | G | 5–6 |
In transfer portal
| Player | Class next season | Pos. | Hgt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elina Aarnisalo | Junior | G | 5–10 |
| Lanie Grant | Junior | G | 5–9 |
| Taliyah Henderson | Sophomore | W | 6–1 |
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics Communications
That’s not good news. As Roy Williams used to say, you can never have too many point guards. But it’s hard to keep more than 2 good ones. I hate to see both Lanie and Elina leave. They were an exciting pair.