Of all the things Elina Arike and Saga Ukonen can relate to, nothing compares to the struggle of paying for a flight home.
After all, this is quite a trek, and one that residents of Helsinki, Finland only make once a year.
Perhaps now you can fly on the same plane.
The Texas Tech basketball players, teammates who grew up in Europe, reunited when Arike transferred from UTEP in the offseason. The move came as no surprise to Ukonen, who welcomed Arike’s visit and advised her friend to join the Lady Raiders.
“I already had an idea that she would be here,” Ukonen said. “Because in my mind we were the best option. … I told her she should do her best while she’s here and then our coach It’s going to be a busy day and week.”, Monday. “
That was all the support Arike needed. Initially, the 6-foot-2 forward thought Ukonen might go against the other Finnish players on the team.
“In a way, some people want to get their own experience and do their own thing,” Arike said. “That’s why I wanted to make sure with Saga that it was okay for me to have this relationship with the (technical) coach.”
The decision marks the first time Arike and Ukonen will wear the same uniform since their days at Makerenrinne High School, which specializes in sports development. The two also played together on Finland’s youth national team.
They followed a similar path to most Finnish players aiming for U.S. college ball, but the first part of their U.S. experience began at another school.
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Each worked on recruiting efforts at different times during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the complications, Tech’s fan support, facilities and home environment were enough to convince Ukonen. The junior is one of two Lady Raiders joining the program for the 2021-22 season.
A year ago, Arike wasn’t so sure. She chose UTEP “on faith” after international recruiting declined at the beginning of the pandemic.
Arike started 75 games for the Minors and was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year last season. She averaged 11.9 points and 5.6 rebounds.
Still, Arike was ready to buy a new home. She wasn’t happy, she admitted, and she considered UTEP coach Kevin Baker’s resignation “a sign that I had to go.”
Arike said Tech played a similar style and felt the coaches and players were authentic. She, too, felt the family atmosphere that Ukonen described. Arike already knew what the crowd would expect from the Miners’ loss to Tech in the women’s national invitational tournament.
She quickly adapted to the Lady Raiders and is enjoying them.
“Normally, I’m quite reserved as a person, and I’m a rather quiet person,” Arike said. “But I feel like I’ve found a place where I’m comfortable enough to come out of my shell and talk to everyone. I feel like this is a good place for me.”
“I’m really just like me now.”
Ukonen called the progress of socialization “the American experience coming through.” When she came to Lubbock, she had to learn the “chat culture” on her own. This was one of her biggest adjustments since Helsinki.
Arike provided size and athleticism to help Tech’s press defense. She had eight points, five assists, two rebounds and one block against Oklahoma on Saturday, showing her versatility.
Ukonen is grateful to have Arike on and off the court. It feels like a long time ago.
“I feel like nothing has changed since I was in Finland,” Ukonen said. “Yeah, we haven’t played together in the last three years and we haven’t really seen each other that much, but it’s still the same.”
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