Veteran Guard Kerr Kriisa Signs with Cincinnati for 2025-26 Season

Veteran Guard Kerr Kriisa Signs with Cincinnati for 2025-26 Season

CINCINNATI — Wes Miller just landed a major piece for the Bearcats.

On Friday, Cincinnati men’s basketball head coach Wes Miller officially announced the signing of veteran guard Kerr Kriisa for the 2025-26 season. Kriisa, a 6-foot-3 native of Tartu, Estonia, brings an impressive résumé and a wealth of big-game experience to Clifton, ready to make an immediate impact.

A Proven Winner

Kriisa’s journey to Cincinnati spans powerhouse programs, including three seasons at Arizona and single-season stints at West Virginia and Kentucky. Across his college career, he’s been a part of three NCAA Tournament runs and has consistently proven himself as a reliable playmaker and shot-maker.

Bearcat fans might already recognize his name: Kriisa faced Cincinnati four times during his career, including a matchup at the 2022 Maui Invitational and three meetings while at West Virginia during the 2023-24 season. His teams went 2-2 against Wes Miller’s squads, with Kriisa scoring double figures in three of those four contests.

Now, instead of lining up against Miller, he’ll be running the show for him.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Kerr to Cincinnati,” Miller said. “We’ve played against Kerr multiple times over the last few years and know first-hand how much he impacts winning. He’s a relentless competitor that brings a wealth of experience and winning to our program. He has an elite basketball IQ and an infectious personality that Bearcats fans will love.”

Overcoming Adversity

Kriisa’s most recent season at Kentucky was unfortunately cut short due to a foot injury after just nine games. Even so, he made the most of his limited time, reaching the 1,000 career point milestone in his final game on December 7 and chipping in six points in a victory over eventual Final Four participant Duke.

Before that, during the 2023-24 season at West Virginia, Kriisa started all 23 games he played, averaging an impressive 11.0 points and 4.7 assists per game. He showcased deadly accuracy from deep, hitting 42.4% from three-point range and draining 61 triples overall. His season highlights included four 20-point games and standout performances dishing out nine assists against TCU, seven against UCF, and six versus Baylor.

Arizona Roots and Legendary Inspiration

Kriisa first made his mark at Arizona, where he built a standout reputation. Across three seasons, he recorded multiple triple-doubles — a feat achieved by only six players in Pac-12 history. He also led the conference in assists in back-to-back seasons, a rare accomplishment last seen in 2000 and 2001. His 177 made three-pointers rank him 10th in Arizona program history.

Adding a special layer to his story: Kriisa was named after NBA legend Steve Kerr, a nod to his family’s deep basketball roots. His father, Valmo Kriisa, enjoyed a 24-year professional career in Estonia — and even had the surreal experience of facing his son on the court in 2017.

What’s Next for Kriisa and the Bearcats

Kriisa’s arrival in Cincinnati marks a huge pickup for Wes Miller’s program as they gear up for a highly competitive Big 12 season. With his leadership, elite shooting, and basketball IQ, Kriisa is expected to be a cornerstone for a Bearcats team looking to make a deep postseason run.

Cincinnati fans, get ready: a battle-tested, high-IQ guard with a knack for winning is about to call Clifton home.