Kentucky Guard Kriisa Enters Transfer Portal After Injury-Plagued Season

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky men’s basketball fifth-year guard Kerr Kriisa entered his name into the transfer portal Monday morning, marking the third time he has opted for a transfer during his college career.

Kriisa, who played in only nine games for the Wildcats during the 2024-25 season, suffered a season-ending foot injury on December 7 against Gonzaga. The injury followed a promising beginning: the 6-foot-3 point guard averaged 4.4 points and 3.8 assists in 17.4 minutes per game off the bench.

Despite struggling with shooting, hitting only 27.9 percent from the field and 26.3 percent from three-point range, Kriisa hopes to receive a medical redshirt waiver that would grant him a sixth and final year of eligibility.

Kriisa commenced his collegiate career at Arizona, where he spent three successful years from 2020 to 2023. In his final year with the Wildcats, he started 34 of 35 games, averaging 9.9 points and a conference-leading 5.1 assists per game.

His transfer to West Virginia for the 2023-24 season was fruitful, as he achieved career-highs with an average of 11 points per game and a three-point shooting percentage of 42.4 percent.

“I’ve recruited Kerr multiple times in my career,” said Kentucky head coach Jon Pope, who finally landed the guard last offseason. “It’s unfortunate how the season turned out for him.”

Kriisa showed flashes of brilliance during his time with Kentucky, including a notable performance with 12 assists against Bucknell. However, his season took a turn after his injury during the Gonzaga game, where he nevertheless hustled back on defense to prevent an easy layup, demonstrating his dedication.

Initially, there was hope for his return, but Kriisa ultimately didn’t recover in time to rejoin his teammates. Now, he faces the prospect of third-time relocation as he enters the transfer portal.

The NCAA transfer portal opened on March 24, 2025, and will remain available for new entries until April 22. This year’s portal cycle has drawn numerous athletes seeking new opportunities, with NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) agreements playing a crucial role in their decisions. The NCAA has reduced the transfer window from 45 to 30 days to promote stability for college programs navigating roster changes.

As the 2025 transfer period progresses, expect a flurry of activity among college basketball players, with many seeking new homes and opportunities to restart their careers.