Mark Pope, head coach of the Kentucky men’s basketball team, announced on Thursday the addition of Kerr Kriisa, a 6-foot-3 veteran guard, to the roster for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Kriisa, who has previously played at both Arizona and West Virginia, brings a wealth of experience to the Wildcats and will have one season of eligibility remaining.
Originally from Tartu, Estonia, Kriisa spent three seasons with Arizona before transferring to West Virginia for the 2023-24 campaign. In his most recent season with the Mountaineers, Kriisa showcased his talent by averaging 11.0 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds across 23 games played. Over his college career spanning 99 total games, including 93 starts, Kriisa has maintained averages of 9.7 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds.
Coach Pope expressed his excitement about Kriisa’s addition, highlighting his exceptional shooting ability and extensive experience in college basketball. He emphasized Kriisa’s competitive spirit, predicting that his presence would have a significant impact both on the court and in the locker room, earning the admiration of Kentucky fans for his bold personality.
Kriisa made an immediate impact during his tenure at West Virginia, demonstrating his scoring prowess with several notable performances. He notably tallied 20 points and seven assists in his debut game against Massachusetts, setting the tone for a season marked by multiple standout performances. Throughout the season, Kriisa consistently delivered double-figure scoring efforts, showcasing his scoring versatility and playmaking skills.
During his time at Arizona, Kriisa distinguished himself as a game-changing facilitator, leading the Pac-12 in assists during both his sophomore and junior seasons. His impressive achievements include leading his team to two Pac-12 tournament victories, one Pac-12 regular-season title, and three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a No. 1 seed in 2022.
Before his collegiate career, Kriisa honed his skills playing for Prienai CBet and Zalgiris II Kaunsas in Lithuania. He also represented the Estonian national team, playing a pivotal role in securing the nation’s historic victory over the Lithuanian national team in the summer of 2020.
