Sophomore guard Eleanna Christinaki lands at Maryland after quitting Florida
Maryland signed former Florida player and All-SEC Freshman Team honoree Eleanna Christinaki. The sophomore guard from Athens, Greece, joins the Terrapins after playing a season and a half at Florida.
In December, Christinaki left Florida because she did not agree with a punishment that stemmed from arguing with a teammate on the bench. She was suspended for one game. According to Florida her behavior was “a violation of team culture.” “Eleanna Christinaki has quit on her team,” said Florida head coach Amanda Butler about the departure of the Gators’ leading scorer.
Christinaki visited Louisville and Maryland before making her decision.
From Maryland’s statement.
During her nine appearances with the Gators in 2016-17, Christinaki averaged 17.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 three-pointers made per game, as they earned a Top-25 ranking. She led the team in scoring and was second in assists. Christinaki notched her career-high 29 points at Chattanooga in November. She was named to the All-SEC Preseason Second Team.
In 2015-16, she was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team as she averaged 10.4 points and led the team with 3.4 assists per game. She helped lead the Gators to an NCAA Tournament bid. Christinaki played in all 31 games and started in 28 in her rookie season. She picked up season highs of 22 points vs. Vanderbilt and 11 assists vs. then-No. 12 Kentucky. She scored in double figures in 17 games and was named SEC Freshman of the Week three times.
“We are thrilled to welcome Eleanna to our Maryland family,” head coach Brenda Frese said. “Our fans are going to love her energy. She is a dynamic, competitive, scoring guard who is going to bring a vast amount of experience to our team. She has played at the highest level from a very young age. Her impact will be felt immediately.”
Christinaki is also a member of the Greek Senior National Team and played for Greece in the summers of 2015 and 2016. She is the second-youngest member ever on the Greece Senior National Team. She served as captain of the Greek Under-20 Team for the second time in 2016 as well. Christinaki played in Greece’s Division A during the 2016 summer and averaged 15.6 points per game. She also competed in EuroBasket 2015.
“I am very happy to be joining the Maryland women’s basketball team,” Christinaki said. “Coach Frese inspired me from the first time that we met and I cannot wait to play for her. I love the team and how talented the players are. I am excited to be joining such a special group and university.”
Christinaki will enroll at Maryland for the spring semester, which starts Jan. 25.
