Jonathan GivonyESPN2:16 PM ET1 minute read
Former Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa, one of college basketball’s top signings this spring, has signed on to play in West Virginia next season, he told ESPN on Wednesday.
“I wanted to start from scratch,” Kriisa said. “I didn’t want to go anywhere that I already had relationships. I have to challenge myself. I really liked how they recruited me. Jay Kuntz and all the staff. When I saw the old truck Bob Huggins drove, I knew this guy was loyal. Now I need to start playing some defense. “
Kriisa’s track record of winning games as a starting point guard in Arizona is unmatched by any player on the NCAA transfer portal, who has scored 57-11 in the last two seasons. He won the Pac-12 tournament championship that season and helped Arizona to a 2nd place finish in the NCAA tournament while leading the conference in assists and shooting 37% for 3s.
Last season, he helped Arizona to a No. 1 spot as the Pac-12 champion and again led the conference in assists.
He selected West Virginia over a list of schools that included Xavier, Ole Miss, Arkansas and Nebraska, he told ESPN.
Kriisa, born in Estonia, gained significant experience at the FIBA Eurobasket last summer. His national team took on the likes of Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lauri Markkanen, making him one of the most seasoned point guards in college basketball. He’s still eligible to play.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analysis service used by NBA, NCAA, and international teams.