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College basketball transfer portal: Ex-Arizona star Kerr Kriisa visiting Nebraska, per report – 247Sports
Arizona transfer guard Kerr Kriisa is visiting Nebraska on Tuesday, already in town according to a post on his Instagram page. Kriisa averaged 9.9 points, 5.1 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game last season for an Arizona team that earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Kriisa led the Pac-12 in assists and is one of the top pure point guards in the transfer portal.
Kriisa is the No. 19-rated player in the transfer portal. Bob Huggins and West Virginia hosted Kriisa for a visit this past weekend. Sean Miller and Xavier are expected to be a major suitor for Kriisa. Miller, of course, recruited and coached Kriisa during his tenure at Arizona.
Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg is on the prowl for a lead guard to replace Sam Griesel. Kriisa’s experience (70 career starts) and dangerous 3-point stroke (career 35.2% shooter) are his two biggest assets along with his knack for breaking defenses down.
“Anybody that wouldn’t want him on their team is crazy,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “I think these referees respect good players. They know he’s a good player, and they know he’s got a little personality, and sometimes, some things come with the personality. I think the referees know how to manage him, and I think he’s learning how to manage them. That’s part of maturing as a player and I think he’s doing a great job.”
Nebraska has a strong sell to Kriisa after the success of Griesel (12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists last season). SMU transfer Emmanuel Bandoumel and Alabama transfer Juwan Gary were also productive pieces for Nebraska before season-ending injuries. The Huskers also closed the season with real momentum on the court. Nebraska won six of its last nine games, and Hoiberg is aiming to parlay that into a key offseason.
With Griesel and key big man Derrick Walker out of eligibility, Nebraska has plenty of shots available for Kriisa. Plus, sharpshooter Keisei Tominaga could give the Arizona transfer a bucket-getting co-pilot in the Nebraska backcourt.
Kriisa also flashed the ability to play off the ball for Arizona. He knocked down 38.9% of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers which ranked in the 78th percentile, per Synergy. While he struggled to finish around the rim (45%), Kriisa flashed a much-improved midrange game.
Kriisa would be a big-time addition for Nebraska on the defensive end. Kriisa held opponents to just 0.726 points per possession in pick-and-rolls last season, per Synergy. Kriisa was Arizona’s head of the snake on defense.
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Nebraska has been very active in the transfer portal. The Huskers have already been linked to prized Northern Colorado guard Dalton Knecht and Syracuse transfer Joe Girard III.
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