Kerr Kriisa (77) can be an emotional leader for UK. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kerr Kriisa is a career 36.8 percent 3-point shooter who shot a career-best 42.4 percent at West Virginia last season going 61-for-144 from3-point range. The three previous years he played at Arizona in a system similar to the one Mark Pope is using at UK, one of several reasons he transferred to UK this season.
“He is an amazing player. The most notable thing is how fast he plays. He gets the ball up in transition and is yelling for the five man to take the ball out of bounds and outlet to him and he’s ready to go,” UK teammate Andrew Carr said.
“He is really, really exactly what coach Pope has said and doing it over his max ability and pushing the pace as fast as possible. Offensively the way he runs the pick and roll and manipulates the defense is really special. He adds another layer to our team and is a really important part of our team.”
Guard Lamont Butler defends Kerr often in practice. He’s seen him continue to improve almost daily.
“Kerr is a great shooter. You can’t give him no space, but the pace he plays at, that is hard to do,” Butler said. “He pushes the ball up the floor and he comes off the pick and roll and shoots. He also finds open players very well. He is a very dangerous player in so many ways.”
Kriisa also has made a believer out of ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes.
“Kerr has some swagger and moxie about him that I think Kentucky is going to need all year. He is a clever risk taker and a player who can provide a big spark,” Dykes said.
Kerr had 12 assists in Kentucky’s win over Bucknell. He hit two 3-pointers in the win over Duke.
“I love him. And our guys love him. You love him as a teammate,” Pope said. “He’s just a special person. You talk about great teams that are built on a group of guys where they kind of embrace their space on the roster and they make it bigger than you can possibly imagine. He is trying to do that. He is trying to take his space on this team and try to make it bigger.”
7 Responses
Energizer bunny is a key element in a defense look ing like they are in a frenzy when opponents have the ball…
And looking like a streak of lightening on offense!
UK BB is fun again!!!
I love how he plays with a chip on his shoulder. I love the taunting and teasing he does during the game. It actually messes with someone’s confidence during the game. Especially how he claps real hard right next to there ear. I love it. We needed a Kriisa on this team. He fits in perfectly. I think he’s a better point guard then Butler. He doesn’t have Butler’s defense but he’s better on offense.
"He loves the game of basketball probably as much as Big Blue Nation does."
Mark Pope
I’ve watched him since he was at Arizona. He just has a special heart that is completely in tune with his basketball mind. He has a special gift that you won’t see very often. He’s been one of my favorite players since I sayw him in a game for Arizona. Over 3 yrs ago. As a diehard , blue bleeding UK fan , I am ecstatic that he wears the blue and white.
Coach P ( in my opinion ) is the ONLY coach , out of all the coaches that were looking to come here , that deserves to be right where he is !! I watched him play and win at UK . And now I know I will watch him win as a coach here. There wasn’t a better fit anywhere!
He is a fan coach ! He is a players coach ! He is the best hire in my lifetime as a UK fan. I love this guy , and I love this team. The talent is. Exceptional, but the heart and the will is way more than that !
So excited for coach P , and the future of UK bb. !!
Alan shanks
Richmond , ky.
Kerr is such a character and so much fun to watch. Sure hope that the red shirt thing from last year will let us have him for another year! That would be so awesome!
He’s a lot of fun to watch and I really like a team that moves up and down the floor.
I have to say, I am truly pleased with every player on this team. They can all run and shoot, seem to play well together, respect each other, trust each other, and they all seem to go at it pretty hard when they are on the floor.
Mark Pope is the biggest blessing to ever arrive in Lexington. Our former hall of fame coach would have thrown in the towel at halftime, but not coach Pope. We have the most talented roster 1-12 in the country. We are still learning how to play with each other and learning Pope’s system, but the whole nation saw it come together against Duke. We are getting better each game. By the time SEC play arrives, we will be hard to handle. By tourney time, no team in the country will want to play Kentucky. We will definitely have a legit shot at being a Final 4 team. With a little luck, we just might see number 9 come home to Lexington.
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