Big 12

Big 12 News and Notes: Bill Self Shuts Down Retirement Rumor, WVU Lands Kriisa and More

Published

1 year ago

April 6, 2023

Evert Nelson

Big 12 basketball had tons of news coming out of the conference on Wednesday. Let’s take a look at what happened around the conference.

Bill Self Shuts Down Retirement Rumor

Kansas HC Bill Self hosted a press conference on Wednesday and many people speculated why the Basketball Hall of Fame coach would do so after suffering an illness at the end of the season. Self did not coach in the Big 12 Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.

“I am 100% positive I will be coaching this upcoming season at the University of Kansas and hopefully many beyond that,” Self told the media.

Bill Self said he will be the coach at Kansas next season.
"I am 100% positive I will be coaching this upcoming season at the University of Kansas and hopefully many beyond that."
— Michael Swain (@MSwain247) April 5, 2023

Self has coached at Kansas for 20 seasons and has won two National Championships in 2008 and 2022.

Kriisa Commits to WVU

Arizona transfer guard Kerr Kriisa committed to West Virginia, giving the Mountaineers their third portal commitment for next season.

Kriisa visited West Virginia from March 25-27 while visiting Nebraska right after. WVU contacted Kriisa immediately after he entered the portal on March 22. Xavier and Creighton were also in the mix, a source told WVSN.

Kriisa (6-foot-3) leaves 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 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.

Kriisa has two years of eligibility remaining.

Breaking: Arizona Transfer Guard Kerr Kriisa Commits to WVU

Jalen Wilson Declares For NBA Draft

Kansas leading scorer Jalen Wilson declared for the NBA Draft, leaving Lawrence after four seasons. Wilson was a starter on the Jayhawks’ National Championship in 2022.

This past season, Wilson averaged 20.1 points and 8.3 rebounds through 36 games. Wilson was named the Big 12 Player of the Year.

Wilson’s teammate Gradey Dick entered the draft last week.