A 5'8" guard from New Mexico State University, Criss began his professional career in the Eastern Basketball Association (EBA),[1] earning league Most Valuable Player honors with the Scranton Apollos in 1976, next playing for the Washington Generals.

[3] During the 1980 NBA playoffs, Criss averaged 14 points and 4.4 assists per game, as the Hawks eventually lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

[5] On February 20, 1982, while on the Clippers, Criss scored a career-best 34 points and recorded 8 assists during a 118–101 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

[6] After retiring as a player, he worked as a golf instructor, an Atlanta Hawks television color commentator and a basketball summer camp coordinator.

[4] Criss was head coach of the Atlanta Eagles in the United States Basketball League (USBL) during the 1991 season.