Elīna Babkina

Elīna Babkina (born 24 April 1989) is a Latvian former basketball player.^[1][2]

Elīna Babkina

No. 7 – Ślęza Wrocław
Position	Point guard
League	BLK
Personal information
Born	(1989-04-24) 24 April 1989 (age 36) Riga, Soviet Union
Nationality	Latvian
Listed height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Listed weight	143 lb (65 kg)
Career information
WNBA draft	2011: 3rd round, 29th overall pick
Drafted by	Los Angeles Sparks
Playing career	2005–present
Career history
2004–2005	U-18 Latvija
2005–2008	TTT Riga
2008–2010	SK Cēsis
2010–2011	Lotos Gdynia
2011–2012	Fenerbahçe
2012	CSM Târgovişte
2013	USK Praha
2013–2014	Nadezhda Orenburg
2014–2018	CD CREF
2018–2022	Ślęza Wrocław
2022–2023	Elitzur Ramla
Career highlights
1× Israeli champion (2023)
Stats at Basketball Reference

Babkina was already offered a deal with Russian Superleague team UMMC Ekaterinburg at age 16.^[3][4] She was a member of TTT Riga until April 2008, when the team fired her.^[5] In September she signed a contract with SK Cēsis.^[6] Babkina played in the 2008 Summer Olympics.^[7]

She retired from professional basketball in April 2023 and became a player agent.^[8]

Personal life

She attended Riga Jugla Secondary School [lv] as a child.

In 2011, rumors circulated among tabloid media, that Babkina had began a relationship with the manager of the women's national team, Greek coach George Dikeoulakos. After playing in at least three clubs managed by him, George and Elīna married in July 2017 and changed her name to Elīna Dikaiulaku (or Elīna Dikeulaka, Elīna Dikaioulaku).^[9] They divorced in 2020 and she reverted to using her maiden name.^[10][11]

She was involved in a car crash on 24 November 2008. She was a passenger. Although she had worn her seat belt, she had a light concussion.^[12][13]

WNBA

Babkina was selected in the third round of the 2011 WNBA draft (29th overall) by the Los Angeles Sparks.^[14] Babkina signed with the Sparks on 19 February 2015.^[15]

Achievements

• 2009 – FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship for Women Bronze medal with Latvia women's national basketball team in Poland.
• 2009 – 1st place in Latvian woman basketball league with SK Cesis.
• 2009 – 2nd place in Baltic woman basketball league with SK Cesis.
• 2008 – 9th place in Beijing Basketball at the Summer Olympics with Latvia women's national basketball team.
• 2008 – 4th place in FIBA "Diamond Ball" tournament in China.
• 2008 – Winner of Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's qualification.
• 2007 – 1st place in Latvian woman basketball league with TTT Riga and "Play-offs" MVP.
• 2005 – FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship for Women Bronze medal with Latvia women's national basketball team in Czech Republic.