Kentucky’s Kerr Kriisa Faces Season-Ending Injury Setback
Kentucky has been without Kerr Kriisa since their thrilling 90-89 overtime victory against Gonzaga in Seattle on December 7, when the fifth-year guard suffered a broken foot and needed surgery. Initially, the injury was not deemed severe enough to end his season, with hopes that Kriisa would return in time for the SEC games, ideally ahead of the postseason.
However, as time progressed, Mark Pope began to change his outlook with each update, eventually declaring that Kriisa would miss the remainder of the season at the beginning of March.
“We’ve passed the point where he could reasonably come back,” Pope stated. “It’s been a stubborn healing process, and he hasn’t met the necessary milestones for recovery.”
Previously, the Kentucky head coach mentioned that Kriisa qualified for a medical redshirt, which could give him the possibility of playing a sixth college season in 2025-26.
“Kerr meets the criteria for a medical redshirt,” Pope explained in February. “He has played in less than 30 percent of games and hasn’t participated beyond the mid-point of the season, making that an option.”
After three months away from the public eye post-surgery, Kriisa recently spoke with the media before the NCAA Tournament, sharing his thoughts on his time off and his future in college basketball.
While uncertain about utilizing his additional season at Kentucky, Kriisa emphasized that he hasn’t fully considered his options, preferring to concentrate on finishing the current season strong with the Wildcats. “My focus is completely on this year’s challenges,” he said. “I can’t even think about returning to college or anything else right now.” With his primary goal to support his teammates, Kriisa remains fully invested in their March Madness journey, even as he reflects on the personal hurdles brought on by his injury.
