ARIZONA BASKETBALL

Arizona transfer Kriisa joining WVU, cites Huggins’ ‘old truck’ in recruitment

Apr 5, 2023, 11:24 AM | Updated: 11:33 am

Alright, here’s the situation: Kerr Kriisa will transfer from Arizona to join the West Virginia men’s basketball team, the point guard announced via Instagram on Wednesday.

He told ESPN that starting from scratch and challenging himself with his destination was the goal.

“I wanted to start from zero,” Kriisa told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. “I really liked how they recruited me. Jay Kuntz and the entire staff. When I saw the old truck that Bob Huggins is driving, I knew that guy was loyal. Now I need to start playing some defense.”

Kriisa posted an edit with a picture of himself, WVU coach Bob Huggins and the lyrics to the famous John Denver song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

“Yes, I know the song by heart,” Kriisa’s caption read.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kerr Kriisa (@kkriisa)

The Mountaineers went 19-15 last season before losing to Maryland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

This past year for a 28-7 Arizona squad that was also knocked out of the first-round of the NCAA Tournament, Kriisa led the Pac-12 with 5.1 assists per game to go with 9.9 points and 37% shooting both from the field and from three.

Kriisa announced his intentions to leave Tucson for the transfer portal two weeks ago:

“Tucson!❤️ Keeping it short and sweet. Thank you for unforgettable 3 years that I had here,” he wrote. “So thankful and grateful for all moments that I shared with my teammates. Bear down, always!”

The Estonian joined Arizona as a recruit of former head coach Sean Miller midway through the 2020-21 season but played only eight games as a freshman.

He entered the transfer portal that offseason as Miller was fired from the school before incoming head coach Tommy Lloyd convinced him to remain with Arizona. Kriisa started for the past two seasons.

Arizona will likely replace Kriisa with freshman Kylan Boswell.

Arizona Basketball

Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley against Clemson in the Sweet 16...

Kevin Zimmerman

Arizona basketball stars go cold in Sweet 16 loss to Clemson

Caleb Love and Pelle Larsson carried Arizona into the NCAA Tournament but they shot the Wildcats out of their Sweet 16 matchup vs. Clemson.

1 hour ago

Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo against Clemson in the Sweet 16...

Arizona Sports

Oumar Ballo Nerf-hoop dunks it in Arizona’s Sweet 16 loss to Clemson

The No. 2 Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet 16 against the No. 6 Clemson Tigers showed some pop late in the first half with Oumar Ballo's dunk.

2 hours ago

Keshad Johnson #16 and Pelle Larsson #3 of the Arizona Wildcats speak at a press conference before ...

Damon Allred

Grind of final Pac-12 season prepared Arizona basketball for March

No. 2 Arizona men's basketball will look to make it past the Sweet 16 for the first time in Tommy Lloyd's tenure.

1 day ago

Caitlin Clark celebrates...

Associated Press

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is inspiring a younger generation of players

Caitlin Clark's deep range has expanded the scope of possibilities for up-and-coming women's basketball players.

1 day ago

Chase Hunter #1 and PJ Hall #24 of the Clemson Tigers high five during the first half against the B...

Vincent DeAngelis

Clemson basketball looks to continue ‘underdog’ run against Arizona in Sweet 16

No. 6 seed Clemson takes on Arizona on Thursday after upsetting No. 3 seed Baylor in the 2024 NCAA Tournament round of 32

1 day ago

(L-R) Caleb Love #2, Keshad Johnson #16, Oumar Ballo #11, and Jaden Bradley #0 of the Arizona Wildc...

Vincent DeAngelis

Re-ranking Arizona basketball among Sweet 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament

Multiple publications rank the Arizona Wildcats around the middle of the pack among the Sweet 16 team still in the NCAA Tournament.

3 days ago

Arizona transfer Kriisa joining WVU, cites Huggins’ ‘old truck’ in recruitment