Versatile sophomore guard from Greece has left the program.
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida women's basketball team entered Sunday's game against North Carolina A&T coming off back-to-back losses.
The Gators also lost their top scorer, sophomore guard Eleanna Christinaki. Eleanna Christinaki averaged 17.6 points in nine games. (Photo: Ron Irby/For UAA Communications)
Christinaki committed an unspecified "violation of team culture" and faced a first-half suspension Sunday. Instead, Christinaki left the program and is no longer listed on the Gators' roster. A versatile player signed by head coach Amanda Butler in the 2015 class, Christinaki averaged a team-high 17.6 points in the first nine games, including a career-high 29 on Nov. 14 in a road victory at Chattanooga.
"I loved the response. I loved the energy. I loved the way they came out and played for each other," Butler said after Sunday's 67-39 win over the Aggies. "Our team handled that just with I thought a great deal of pride, a great deal of grace, a great deal of effort and energy.
Christinaki's departure is a significant loss for the No. 23-ranked Gators. She came to UF from Athens, Greece, and quickly made an impact on the court despite her limited English and other hurdles common for international students who come to America for college.
Christinaki had expressed homesickness previously and is likely headed back to Greece, where she was a member of the national team program while growing up. Christinaki was a member of the SEC All-Freshman Team a season ago after averaging 10.4 points and starting 28 games.
She was a key building block for the Gators, who entered the season ranked in the preseason national polls for the first time in 15 years.
Meanwhile, in their first game without Christinaki, the Gators (7-3) cruised to a 29-point victory over North Carolina A&T, led by Brooke Copeland's 13 points, and 9 points, 10 rebounds from Ronni Williams.
With Christinaki no longer on the team and with freshman guard Delicia Washington suspended for the first half for a violation of team rules, the Gators had only seven players available in the first half. However, Washington returned in the second half to score 10 points and grab four rebounds, and seven of the eight Gators who played finished with at least eight points.
Butler said the emphasis this week is on finishing exams strong and then returning to the gym and adjust to the new lineup.
"We are just going to get better this week,'' she said. "Really utilize this week to put in a few new wrinkles and do some things that our travel schedule has not allowed us to do."
Women's Basketball vs UNF Highlights 11-3-25Women's Basketball vs UNF Highlights 11-3-25
Tuesday, November 04
Kelly Rae Finley, Me'Arah O'Neal, Liv McGill | Media Availability (November 3, 2025)Kelly Rae Finley, Me'Arah O'Neal, Liv McGill | Media Availability (November 3, 2025)
