Former University of Kentucky and West Virginia guard Kerr Kriisa has been arrested by the FBI in connection with an alleged multi-million-dollar fraud investigation tied to his time at West Virginia University.
Kriisa, 25, was taken into custody by FBI agents in Lexington, Kentucky, on July 3 and is currently being held at the Fayette County Detention Center while awaiting extradition to West Virginia, where court proceedings are expected to begin next week.
Authorities have released few details about the allegations. According to the New York Post, the investigation centers on an alleged multi-million-dollar fraud scheme connected to Kriisa’s 2023-24 season at West Virginia University.
The FBI has not publicly disclosed the specific charges or released additional information regarding the investigation. Officials at the Fayette County Detention Center confirmed Kriisa’s detention but said they could not comment further because the matter involves a federal case.
Kriisa enjoyed a lengthy college basketball career that spanned six seasons at four Division I programs.
The Estonian point guard began his NCAA career at the University of Arizona in 2020, where he became a key contributor for the Wildcats over three seasons. During his junior campaign in 2022-23, Kriisa averaged 9.9 points and 5.1 assists per game while helping Arizona reach the NCAA Tournament.
After the season, he transferred to West Virginia University. Before making his debut, however, the NCAA suspended him for the first nine games of the 2023-24 season after he admitted receiving impermissible benefits while attending Arizona.
West Virginia announced at the time that the eligibility issue stemmed from Kriisa’s own disclosure regarding benefits he received during his time with the Wildcats.
Despite the suspension, Kriisa appeared in 23 games for the Mountaineers, averaging 11.0 points and 4.7 assists per contest while leading the team in made three-pointers.
He transferred again following the season, joining the University of Kentucky for the 2024-25 campaign. His season was limited to nine games after suffering a foot injury.
Following the end of his collegiate eligibility, Kriisa signed to play professionally for Tartu Ülikool in his native Estonia. He had also been announced as a member of La Familia, Kentucky’s alumni team competing in the 2026 edition of The Basketball Tournament, per Trending Politics.
Kriisa comes from a basketball family. His father, Valmo Kriisa, played professionally in Estonia, while Kerr was named after former NBA star and current Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
Prior to his collegiate career, Kriisa played professionally in Estonia, Germany and Lithuania, including appearances in the EuroLeague before moving to the United States.
Federal authorities have not indicated whether additional arrests or charges are expected as the investigation continues. Court documents detailing the allegations are expected to become available after Kriisa’s extradition to West Virginia.
