Battle, Kriisa Join Toothman Ford in Efforts to Keep Team Together

WVU guards RaeQuan Battle and Kerr Kriisa joined Team Toothman Ford on Wednesday. Toothman Ford is making efforts to keep this team together with the coaching search going on.

Battle and Kriisa are both incoming transfers that arrived on campus a couple weeks ago. The duo are projected to start for West Virginia next season if they stay.

“Don’t worry folks, we are pulling together to keep this team together! Welcome to the Mountain State [Kerr and RaeQuan]! Let’s give them a warm Mountaineer welcome,” Toothman’s Twitter account wrote.

Don’t worry folks , we are pulling together to keep this team together! Welcome to the Mountain State @KerrKriisa and @RaeQuanBattle ! Let’s give them a warm Mountaineer Welcome! #wvubasketball #teamtoothman pic.twitter.com/br0KVRNCHF

— Toothman Ford (@Toothman_Ford) June 21, 2023

Battle (6-foot-5) started in all 35 games this past season, averaging 17.7 points on 47 percent shooting from the field, 35 percent from three and 83 percent from the free throw line. The Tulip, Wa. native scored 27 points against Kansas State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Battle was named to the All-Big Sky First Team during his senior year. Battle began his collegiate career at Washington.

Kriisa (6-foot-3) left Arizona after three seasons, serving as a full-time starter the last two years under Tommy Lloyd. Kriisa, a native of Estonia, averaged 9.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists this past season. Kriisa was second in the Pac-12 in total assists and also shot 37 percent from three. Kriisa has appeared in the last two NCAA Tournaments for Arizona, reaching the Sweet-16 last year.

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