Florida Gators Basketbal: Eleanna Christinaki Quits Team
Leading scorer Eleanna Christinaki has left the Florida Gators women’s basketball team after refusing to accept a suspension by head coach Amanda Butler.
The Florida Gators women’s basketball team has suffered an incomparable setback. 10 games into the 2016-17 college basketball season, Florida has lost its leading scorer over a first-half suspension.
According to a report via ESPN, sophomore star Eleanna Christinaki left the team after agreeing with head coach Amanda Butler on a disciplinary issue.
Christinaki was the Gators’ leading scorer with an average of 17.6 points per game. She’d helped Florida achieve a Top 25 ranking and was well on her way to following a standout 2015-16 campaign with another big season.
Freshman Delicia Washington accepted her suspension against North Carolina A&T, but Christinaki wasn’t as willing to do so. Per ESPN:
“[Their suspension was] a little discipline from some behavior that is not becoming of a Gator and not part of our culture.”
The coach said Christinaki “quit on her team,” but that other players dealt with her absence well.
Florida will now have to continue its season without the presence of its No. 1 scoring option.
During her nine appearances in 2016-17, Christinaki averaged 17.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 3-point field goals made per game. She’s made a team-leading 12 3-point field goals and has attempted a team-high 31 free throws.
Christinaki was also second on the Gators in assists per game, thus further displaying her value and importance.
Unfortunately, Butler and the Gators will have to move on without the primary offensive playmaker.
Ronni Williams stepped up in the first game without Christinaki, recording nine points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in 31 minutes against North Carolina A&T. Brooke Copeland was Florida’s leading scorer with 13 points, and Washington scored 10 points after serving her suspension.
With Christinaki off the team, Williams is the new leading scorer at 15.2 points per game.
After making the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2016-16, Eleanna Christinaki has ended her Florida Gators career in 2016-17.
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