In a major development, West Virginia transfer Kerr Kriisa has announced his commitment to play for the University of Kentucky, according to a statement he made to ESPN on Wednesday. The 6-foot-3 point guard from Estonia impressed during his time at West Virginia, where he averaged 11.0 points and 4.7 assists per game in the previous season while shooting an impressive 42% from beyond the arc.

Prior to his stint at West Virginia, Kriisa spent three successful seasons at Arizona, where he was an integral part of the team's triumph in winning two Pac-12 championships. He also led the conference in assists during his time at Arizona, showcasing his playmaking abilities. Kriisa had initially committed to West Virginia under coach Bob Huggins, but the plans fell through when Huggins resigned after facing charges of driving under the influence.

Kentucky's newly appointed head coach, Mark Pope, had been keen on securing Kriisa's services even before joining the Wildcats. Pope pursued him twice during his time as the head coach at BYU, initially traveling to Lithuania in 2020 to recruit Kriisa out of high school. He extended an offer to Kriisa when the point guard decided to leave Arizona, and it ultimately paid off as Kriisa chose to join the Wildcats.

Kriisa brings a wealth of experience to the Kentucky roster, having competed at the FIBA EuroBasket in 2022 as part of the Estonian national team. He faced off against star players like Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Lauri Markkanen, further honing his skills on the international stage. With 93 starts under his belt in both the Big 12 and Pac-12, Kriisa is one of the most seasoned point guards in college basketball.

The addition of Kriisa marks the eighth player to join coach Mark Pope's roster since his appointment as Kentucky's head coach just three weeks ago. He joins a group that includes rising freshmen Collin Chandler and Travis Perry, sophomore Brandon Garrison, junior Otega Oweh, and fifth-year seniors Koby Brea, Amari Williams, and Andrew Carr. The infusion of talent is expected to have a significant impact on the Wildcats' performance in the upcoming season.

Kentucky fans are eagerly anticipating Kriisa's arrival, and his presence is sure to enhance the team's prospects going forward. With his proven track record and skill set, Kriisa's addition to the Wildcats' roster is undoubtedly a significant boost for the program as they aim for success in the coming season.