Two West Virginia men’s basketball players are set to reunite on the court next season—but this time, they’ll be suiting up for one of the Mountaineers’ conference rivals.
The Cincinnati Bearcats have landed a pair of WVU players from the transfer portal. One of them was a regular starter for West Virginia last season, while the other is a name that sticks out from a more forgettable chapter in the program’s recent history.
Joe Tipton of On3 Sports broke the news on both players. On Sunday, he first reported that guard Kerr Kriisa would be transferring to Cincinnati. Not long after, Tipton also revealed that Sincere Harris would be joining the Bearcats, marking a significant portal haul for the program.
The Bearcats get two former Mountaineers on Sunday from the transfer portal
Sincere Harris was a key contributor for West Virginia this past season, starting all 32 games and anchoring the team’s defense. His relentless energy and sharp defensive instincts earned him a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. While his primary impact came on defense, Harris also chipped in offensively, averaging 5.9 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
Following the announcement of his transfer to Cincinnati, Harris took to X (formerly Twitter) to thank West Virginia and its fans for their support. He was a fan favorite in Morgantown, known for his defensive intensity and all-out effort every time he stepped on the court.
Kerr Kriisa spent a season at West Virginia under interim head coach Josh Eilert, though he was originally brought in by longtime coach Bob Huggins before Huggins resigned in 2023 following a DUI incident. After one year with the Mountaineers and a brief stint at Kentucky, Kriisa is returning to the Big 12—this time as a Cincinnati Bearcat.
Cincinnati will mark Kriisa’s fourth program in as many years, with previous stops at Arizona, West Virginia, and Kentucky. During his time in Morgantown, he posted averages of 11.1 points and 4.7 assists per game.
With Ross Hodge now leading the Bearcats, he’ll be coaching two players who are deeply familiar with the Mountaineers’ system. Known for his defensive approach, Hodge will look to use Kriisa’s offensive skill set and Harris’ defensive prowess to Cincinnati’s advantage. Should Cincinnati and WVU meet during the 2025–26 season, Hodge will face the unique challenge of leveraging his former Mountaineers while strategizing against their former team.