Kentucky Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa will not return this season. Head coach Mark Pope confirmed on Thursday that Kriisa’s recovery from a foot fracture has not progressed as they had hoped.
The fifth-year guard, who suffered the injury on December 7, 2024, against Gonzaga, has been sidelined ever since. With the regular season winding down, Pope shared that Kriisa is “past the window” for a return.
Kerr Kriisa’s Season-Ending Injury Confirmed by Mark Pope
Kriisa got a Jones fracture in Kentucky’s 90-89 victory over Gonzaga. Despite his determination and the best effort from the medical staff, the fracture has not healed quickly enough to allow him back on the court.
Mark Pope confirms that Kerr Kriisa will miss the remainder of the season.
Kentucky’s guard room is super thin heading into postseason play. pic.twitter.com/gD4kahU1iW
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 6, 2025
The Estonian-born guard played in nine games for Kentucky before the injury, averaging 4.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. While his shooting percentages were below expectations, 27.9% from the field and 26.3% from three, he was a valuable playmaker.
His 3.8 assists per game ranked second on the team, only behind Lamont Butler. Before his injury, Kriisa also had a standout performance against Gonzaga, recording eight points, three rebounds, and four assists.
Though unable to contribute on the court, Kriisa has remained a valuable part of the team. His enthusiasm, even from the sidelines, was pretty visible during matches, and his teammates haven’t ignored it at all.
In January, the team even surprised him at his apartment for his birthday, showing how much they value their comrade. “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.” Pope credited this camaraderie as a driving force behind Kentucky’s success this season
With Kriisa playing in fewer than 30% of Kentucky’s games and none after the season’s midpoint, he qualifies for a medical redshirt. This means he has the option to return for a sixth year in the 2025-26 season.
The uncertainty surrounding his eligibility was the reason he did not participate in Kentucky’s senior night ceremony earlier this week.
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While Kentucky prepares for its regular-season finale against No. 15 Missouri, Kriisa’s focus will now shift to rehabilitation and a potential return next year.
If he chooses to come back, the Wildcats will welcome him with open arms, hopeful that he can make an even greater impact in his final collegiate season.
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