After One Season with Kentucky, Kerr Kriisa Has Found a New School to Play For

In the ever-evolving landscape of college basketball, few stories exemplify the modern player’s journey better than that of Kerr Kriisa. A fiery, pass-first point guard with European flair and elite court vision, Kriisa has become a familiar name in college hoops circles—not just for his game, but for his resilience and adaptability. After stops at Arizona, West Virginia, and most recently Kentucky, Kriisa is on the move once again. His next chapter? The Cincinnati Bearcats.

With one year of eligibility remaining, the Estonian-born guard is set to suit up for his fourth NCAA program in what has become a winding, unpredictable journey through college basketball. While the destinations may have changed, Kriisa’s mission remains the same: to lead, to compete, and to win. As he joins a rising Cincinnati team under head coach Wes Miller, both the player and program see a golden opportunity to make waves in the ever-competitive Big 12 Conference.

The Kentucky Chapter: A Season of What Could Have Been

When Kerr Kriisa announced his transfer to the University of Kentucky ahead of the 2024–25 season, expectations were cautiously optimistic. Known for his emotional intensity and high basketball IQ, Kriisa was seen as a savvy addition to a Kentucky squad looking to bolster its backcourt experience after losing multiple key players to graduation and the NBA Draft.

Kriisa had already proven himself at the Power Five level. At Arizona, he led the Pac-12 in assists for two consecutive seasons, and despite an inconsistent stint at West Virginia during the tumultuous 2023–24 campaign, he still showed flashes of brilliance. His ability to control pace, make reads off the pick-and-roll, and stretch the floor with his shooting made him a valuable addition.

But the blue-and-white dream in Lexington never truly materialized. After just nine games with the Wildcats, Kriisa suffered a foot injury in a non-conference clash against Gonzaga in early December 2024. The injury, which turned out to be more severe than initially thought, sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

In those nine appearances, he averaged a modest 4.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game—numbers that don’t quite reflect his full impact, particularly his role as a floor general. Despite limited action, he provided leadership, vocal energy, and poise to a young Kentucky team. Unfortunately, his injury left a void that was never fully filled, and both player and program were left wondering what might have been.

Enter Cincinnati: A New Opportunity in the Big 12

With eligibility left and unfinished business on the court, Kriisa entered the transfer portal in March 2025. The move wasn’t surprising—after all, he’d only played a handful of games at Kentucky. What did raise eyebrows, however, was his next stop: the Cincinnati Bearcats.

While the Bearcats might not carry the same blue-blood status as Kentucky or Arizona, they’re a program on the rise. Now firmly entrenched in the Big 12, Cincinnati is embracing its new era of basketball under head coach Wes Miller. After finishing the 2024–25 season with a 19–16 record and an NIT appearance, the Bearcats are hungry to break through to NCAA Tournament relevance again.

Adding Kriisa is a signal of intent.

For Cincinnati, it’s not just about acquiring a talented point guard. It’s about bringing in leadership, maturity, and a high-level basketball brain. Kriisa’s international background and years of experience in elite college settings give him a unique edge that the Bearcats hope to harness.

“We’re thrilled to bring Kerr into our program,” Coach Miller said in a statement. “He’s a competitor, he’s a leader, and he understands the game in a way that will elevate our team. His experience in big games will be huge for us as we continue to build a winning culture here at Cincinnati.”

A Closer Look at Kerr Kriisa’s Career

To understand what Kriisa brings to the table, it’s worth revisiting his journey through the NCAA:

Arizona (2020–2023)

Kriisa arrived in Tucson as a relatively unknown European prospect but quickly made a name for himself. By his sophomore year, he had taken over as the full-time starting point guard. In 2021–22, he averaged 9.7 points and 4.7 assists per game while helping lead the Wildcats to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He followed that up by leading the Pac-12 in assists (5.1 APG) in 2022–23.

West Virginia (2023–2024)

Kriisa transferred to WVU in the wake of Arizona’s coaching changes, and while his time in Morgantown was rocky—due in part to coaching turmoil and team inconsistency—he averaged 11.0 points and 4.7 assists, showing his ability to adapt and still produce in difficult circumstances.

Kentucky (2024)

Though his time in Lexington was cut short, Kriisa’s maturity and mentorship of younger players did not go unnoticed by Kentucky fans or coaches. His short stint underscored his commitment to team culture, even when not playing.

What Kriisa Brings to Cincinnati

Kerr Kriisa’s game is not without flaws—he can be streaky as a shooter and occasionally overconfident with his passing—but his upside is undeniable. Here’s what he adds to the Bearcats:

1. Veteran Leadership

In a conference as tough as the Big 12, veteran poise is invaluable. Kriisa’s seen it all—from March Madness runs to midseason adversity—and that wisdom will be key for a relatively young Cincinnati roster.

2. High Basketball IQ

Kriisa is a student of the game. He sees plays before they happen, understands spacing, and makes his teammates better. Expect him to orchestrate Miller’s offense with precision.

3. Perimeter Shooting

While not a lights-out shooter, Kriisa has range. Defenses will need to respect his ability to knock down open threes, which will help stretch the floor and create driving lanes for Cincinnati’s slashers.

4. Pick-and-Roll Expertise

Kriisa excels in the two-man game. With a quality big in Cincinnati’s frontcourt, expect to see plenty of pick-and-roll action with Kriisa threading passes through tight windows.

What’s at Stake for Kriisa?

This final season represents a pivotal moment in Kriisa’s career. He’s no longer just the scrappy young point guard from Europe trying to prove himself—he’s a veteran with a legacy to cement.

With four years of major conference experience, Kriisa knows the stakes. He’s chasing more than just wins—he’s chasing a deep NCAA Tournament run, personal redemption from his injury-shortened Kentucky stint, and perhaps, a long-shot opportunity to catch the eye of NBA scouts or high-level European teams.

Cincinnati offers him the perfect platform: a respected program, a strong coach, and a fanbase eager for a return to national relevance.

Reactions from Around College Basketball

The news of Kriisa’s transfer to Cincinnati was met with a mixture of curiosity and excitement:

• Analysts praised the move as mutually beneficial. “Kriisa gives Cincinnati a legit playmaker who knows how to win. Don’t be surprised if he becomes one of the top assist leaders in the Big 12,” said ESPN’s Myron Medcalf.
• Kentucky Fans offered bittersweet farewells. “Wish we could’ve seen a full season from him. He was a great teammate, even when he couldn’t play,” one fan posted on Reddit’s r/KentuckyWildcats forum.
• Cincinnati Supporters are optimistic. “Wes Miller is cooking,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Kriisa is exactly the kind of vet we need to push us to the next level.”

Looking Ahead to the 2025–26 Season

The Bearcats’ roster is shaping up to be a competitive one. With Kriisa now leading the backcourt and several talented returners and transfers, Cincinnati may be poised for a breakout year in the Big 12.

Their non-conference schedule will be key to building chemistry early. But it’s the conference play—where they’ll battle the likes of Kansas, Houston, and Baylor—that will truly test Kriisa and company.

If things click, there’s no reason this team can’t challenge for a top-five Big 12 finish and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. And if Kriisa can stay healthy and rediscover the form that made him one of the Pac-12’s best facilitators, don’t be surprised to see his name back in the national conversation.

Final Thoughts

Kerr Kriisa’s college basketball story has been anything but conventional. From Europe to Arizona, from West Virginia to Kentucky, and now Cincinnati, his journey has been marked by highs, lows, and everything in between. But through it all, he’s continued to evolve—as a player, as a leader, and as a competitor.

As he embarks on his final collegiate season, Kriisa does so with one goal in mind: winning. Whether that’s leading Cincinnati to the NCAA Tournament, silencing doubters, or simply proving to himself that he belongs on the biggest stage, the mission is clear.

For Cincinnati, this is a bet on talent, experience, and fire. For Kriisa, it’s a final chance to leave his mark.

And if his past is any indication, he won’t go down without a fight.