Kentucky head coach Mark Pope provided an update on point guard Kerr Kriisa on Monday night, offering some optimism regarding the injured player’s recovery. Kriisa, who sustained a foot injury during Kentucky’s dramatic 90-89 overtime win over Gonzaga, was initially listed as out indefinitely, with the Wildcats announcing that he would undergo surgery. Despite the setback, Pope revealed that Kriisa is expected to return sooner rather than later, as the point guard is working with a top-tier medical team. “We’re excited to get him back,” Pope said, praising Kriisa’s competitive spirit and determination.
The injury occurred midway through the second half of Kentucky’s game against Gonzaga, when Kriisa took an awkward step while backpedaling near midcourt. This caused him to lose control of the ball and struggle to get back on defense, clearly in pain. After Gonzaga scored on a fast break, Kriisa collapsed to the floor near the baseline and was assisted off the court. He later left the bench to go to the locker room but returned to the court to watch his teammates finish the game and secure a thrilling overtime victory.
Pope recalled Kriisa’s resilience during the incident, saying that the team had watched the footage multiple times during their film session. “What we saw was incredible,” Pope explained. “Kerr, despite breaking his foot, immediately jumped up and hobbled back as fast as he could, trying to save the transition defense. It was a truly emotional moment for all of us, as we saw his heart and his dedication to his team.” The coach highlighted how the moment exemplified Kriisa’s drive and commitment to his team and winning, even in the face of unexpected adversity.
With Kriisa’s injury, Jaxson Robinson, a 6-foot-6 guard, stepped in and played the rest of the game as Kentucky’s primary ball handler. Robinson, who had previously played point guard at BYU, took on the challenge of running the offense through the second half and overtime. Kentucky had already been without starting point guard Lamont Butler, who suffered an ankle injury during the team’s loss to Clemson the previous week. Butler was ruled out for the Gonzaga game, and while Pope mentioned that Butler was making progress, he was uncertain about his return.
Despite the backcourt struggles, Pope expressed confidence in Robinson’s ability to play the point guard role until both Kriisa and Butler are back to full strength. Freshman guard Travis Perry also saw unexpected minutes during the Gonzaga game, and Pope noted that his offense is versatile, with multiple players capable of handling the ball and running the offense, thus alleviating the pressure of having a traditional point guard.
Kriisa has earned recognition for his unselfish and team-first mentality. After transferring to Kentucky from Arizona, he embraced a backup role behind Butler, despite having started 93 of 99 games in his previous college career. His transition into a lesser role demonstrated his commitment to the team’s success over individual statistics, even though it meant fewer opportunities to score or play as much as he had in the past.
Through nine games, Kriisa has led the Wildcats in assists with 34 and has posted only nine turnovers on the season, a testament to his efficiency and court awareness. Even with his limited minutes, he has contributed 4.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. In his first start for Kentucky against Gonzaga, Kriisa played a season-high 27 minutes, recording eight points, four assists, and three rebounds. His lone turnover in that game came on the play that led to his injury.
As the Wildcats move forward, Pope remains optimistic about Kriisa’s recovery, the team’s depth, and the ability of players like Robinson and Perry to step up. With games against Colgate and Louisville on the horizon, Kentucky is looking to maintain its momentum while navigating through a tough stretch without two of its key backcourt players.