Turning 24 should be a time for celebration, but for Kentucky guard Kerr Kriisa, this year’s birthday on January 2 was bittersweet. Still recovering from a foot fracture, Kriisa found himself navigating his special day on crutches, unable to play the game he loves. Sensing that their injured teammate needed a lift, his Wildcats teammates decided to take matters into their own hands—and brought the celebration straight to him.
“All the guys snuck into Kerr Kriisa’s apartment after his birthday and completely surprised him,” Kentucky head coach Mark Pope revealed after the Wildcats’ 106-100 victory over Florida on Saturday. “Kerr’s been struggling. He’s such a competitor, and not being able to play is eating him alive. The guys acted like kids, sneaking into his place to pull this off, and it was just beautiful.”
The Perfect Surprise
Fifth-year forward Andrew Carr spearheaded the effort, carefully organizing the surprise days in advance. The plan? Send Kriisa and a couple of teammates on a Costco run, giving the rest of the Wildcats time to sneak into his apartment and prepare the ambush.
As soon as Kriisa hobbled through the door, his teammates sprang out, catching him completely off guard. His reaction, captured in a video shared on his Instagram Story, was raw, emotional, and hilariously unfiltered.
“That was a special moment, especially for Kerr,” said fifth-year guard Lamont Butler. “He’s been injured and hasn’t played, and we know how tough that’s been on him. Celebrating on crutches, not being able to do much—it’s hard. We just wanted to bring him a little joy and show him some love, the same way he lifts us up every day.”
Brotherhood in Action
The moment resonated deeply with the team, but perhaps none more so than fifth-year veteran Koby Brea, who understands the mental toll of being sidelined.
“I know what it’s like to be in his shoes,” Brea said. “Injuries are tough, and it’s easy to feel isolated. But we’re his brothers, and we wanted to make sure he felt that love. Seeing how emotional he got reminded us why we do this—it’s not just about basketball. It’s about being there for each other.”
Kriisa, overwhelmed by the gesture, spent the rest of the night hanging out with his team. The Wildcats made the most of the evening, watching the Georgia-Notre Dame College Football Playoff game and even taking a trip down memory lane by sharing each other’s high school highlight reels.
“Collin Chandler, Travis Perry, and Trent Noah have the best high school tapes—hands down,” Butler joked, reflecting on the night. “It was just one of those moments where you feel how close we are as a group.”
Off-Court Bonding, On-Court Results
For Pope, these off-court moments are about more than camaraderie; they translate directly to success on the hardwood. Kentucky’s elite offensive showing against Florida—a game where they shot 58% from the field, hit 14 three-pointers, and dished out 25 assists to just six turnovers—was evidence of the power of team chemistry.
“I truly believe those runs we made on the court come from moments like this off the court,” Pope said. “These guys work so hard to stay connected. They genuinely care about each other, and that shows when we’re playing.”
Kentucky strung together three separate 10-0 runs against Florida, showcasing the kind of cohesion that’s hard to replicate without a strong bond.
The Recipe for Success
As the Wildcats continue their season, moments like the surprise party for Kriisa are helping build a foundation for success. For the players, it’s about more than stats and wins; it’s about building relationships that transcend the game.
“Those moments just bring us together,” Brea said. “When you know your teammates have your back, it gives you something extra to fight for. Nights like that make us stronger, on and off the court.”
For Kriisa, the night was a reminder of the support system he has, even during a challenging time in his career. And for the Wildcats, it was proof that the strongest teams aren’t just built in practice—they’re built in the moments that happen when no one’s watching.
