Kerr Kriisa injury update: Mark Pope makes definitive call on Kentucky guard's status for remainder of the year

On Thursday, Kentucky head coach Mark Pope confirmed that fifth-year guard Kerr Kriisa will not return this season. Kriisa suffered a foot fracture in Kentucky’s 90-89 win over Gonzaga on Dec. 7 and hasn’t played since.

Kriisa transferred to Kentucky from West Virginia this past offseason. He played in nine games for the Wildcats before suffering his season-ending injury.

Kriisa averaged 4.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 27.9% from the field and 26.3% from beyond the arc. Despite Kriisa’s lackluster shooting numbers, he was a valuable sparkplug off the bench for Kentucky.

Before leaving the game against Gonzaga, Kriisa tallied eight points, three rebounds and four assists. On the play he was injured, he left a lasting impression in fans’ minds by rushing back to defend Gonzaga’s fastbreak after initially falling.

Although Kriisa hasn’t been able to get in the box score since his injury, he hasn’t stopped contributing to the team. Kriisa is a fountain of energy on the bench, endlessly cheering on his teammates. His fellow Wildcats don’t take his enthusiasm for granted.

In January, Kerr’s teammates snuck into his apartment to surprise him on his birthday. Pope believes moments of camaraderie like that are part of the reason his team has found so much success this season.

“All of my guys snuck into Kerr Kriisa’s apartment after celebrating his birthday to go scare him and surprise him,” Pope said. “My guy that is struggling right now because he can’t play right now and it’s killing him. They all snuck into his apartment like little kids, to go surprise him.

“I actually think those runs come from a group like that. I really do. I think it comes from being together and these guys are working so hard to be together as much as they can. I think that’s probably the most important ingredient.”

Kentucky guard Koby Brea also discussed the touching gesture. Brea even spoke from personal experience.

“I know what it feels like to be in his shoes, to have to go through an injury is really tough,” Brea said. “I know it’s always really hard for him. But to have guys like us that — we’re his brothers. 

“At the end of the day, we just want to show up for him and show him that. He was really emotional about it because there’s not a lot of places you can go to and get that kind of love. It was a great moment for us to be there for him and spend a lot of time with him on his birthday and just make that day special for him.”

Now, with the postseason just over the horizon, Kentucky has a chance to give Kriisa plenty more special days this month. However, Kentucky must first take on No. 15 Missouri in its regular season finale. The game will air live on ESPN at noon ET on Saturday.