Former college basketball player Kerr Kriisa admits to $9,000 demand in fraud scheme

article Kerr Kriisa #11 of the Cincinnati Bearcats warms up before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on January 21, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. (Credit: Chris Coduto/Getty Images) The Brief Former college basketball player Kerr Kriisa pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud after admitting he demanded $9,000 from a victim while posing as someone named "Irene."Prosecutors say Kriisa posed as multiple people, including his mother, and defrauded two victims in a scheme dating back to at least 2022.Kriisa faces up to two years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 22, 2026. CLARKSBURG, W. Va. - Former college basketball player Kerr Kriisa has pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud after admitting he demanded $9,000 from a victim, prosecutors said. Kerr Kriisa pleads guilty to wire fraud Big picture view: The 25-year-old guard from Estonia pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud Thursday in federal court as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced in a news release. Kriisa faces up to two years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 22, 2026. What they're saying: "Financial fraud is not a game, and those who choose to deceive and exploit others will be held accountable. Mr. Kriisa’s years‑long scheme caused real harm, and today’s plea underscores that this office will pursue anyone who engages in conduct like this, regardless of any notoriety or success they may have achieved," Harvey said in a statement. "We will continue to stand with our law‑enforcement partners to uncover fraud, defend victims, and ensure that offenders face serious federal consequences." Kerr Kriisa posed as fictitious person named Irene The backstory: Kriisa was arrested in Kentucky in July. According to the plea agreement, Kriisa sent one of the victims an email in February posing as a fictitious person named "Irene."  In the email, he demanded a payment of $9,000 to avoid litigation and publicity regarding a financial dispute "Irene" had with him.  According to the indictment, the February 2026 incident was one of many acts Kriisa took to defraud two individuals of millions of dollars in a scheme dating back to at least 2022 when Kriisa played basketball for the University of Arizona.  RELATED: Kerr Kriisa, former NCAA basketball star, arrested for alleged fraud scheme From 2022 through June 2 of this year, Kriisa allegedly posed as other people, including his own mother, and falsely claimed that he and his family urgently needed money to deal with an emergency, the indictment said. The indictment alleged that Kriisa repeatedly sought payments, and, at times, instructed one victim to transfer money to the other under false pretenses and once fraudulently signed an agreement promising to repay one of the victims but never did.  Kerr Kriisa began college career at Arizona Dig deeper: Kriisa began his college career in 2020 at the University of Arizona, where he led the Pac-12 in assists during his two full seasons.  He then transferred to West Virginia, where he was suspended for the first nine games of his lone season there after admitting he received impermissible benefits while at Arizona. RELATED: 455 charged in health care fraud crackdown; schemes totaled over $6.5 billion Kriisa transferred to Kentucky in 2024, but was also limited to nine games due to a foot injury.  He transferred to Cincinnati for his final year of eligibility and started 12 games before suffering a separated shoulder in February. The Source: The information for this story was provided by the U.S. Department of Justice. This story was reported from Los Angeles. The Associated Press, previous FOX Local reporting contributed. Crime and Public SafetyU.S.Sports