During a news conference Thursday, Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope said Kriisa, a fifth-year guard who hasn’t played since Dec. 7 because of a foot injury, won’t take the court for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.

“We’re past the window now where he could actually get back,” Pope said. “It’s just been a little bit of a stubborn healing process. So, yeah, he just hasn’t reached the benchmarks he needs to get to in terms of the healing process.”

Kriisa finishes the season having appeared in nine games, making one start. He averaged 4.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. His assist average ranks second on the Wildcats, trailing fellow point guard Lamont Butler at 4.5.

Because of how few games he played in 2024-25, and since none of his appearances occurred past the midpoint of UK’s season, Kriisa would be eligible for a medical redshirt — and a return for the 2025-26 campaign. The possibility of a sixth season for Kriisa is why he didn’t participate in the team’s senior night ceremony prior to Tuesday’s victory over LSU.