Melvin Council Jr. has quickly become a fan favorite amongst Kansas fans. The high-energy, rapid guard has an elite ability to almost freeze time around the basket, opening up driving lanes that most other players simply can not see.
Last season, Council was a member of St. Bonaventure, where he notched a solid 14.5 points per game, to go along with 2.1 steals, 4.1 assists, and 5.4 total rebounds.
Since his arrival in Lawerence however, Council’s ability to find the hidden pass and be a ball hawk to opposing offenses had skyrocketed his stardom.
This season, Council is currently averaging 13.2 points, .9 steals, 4.8 assists, and 4.2 total rebounds.
However, Council’s true nation-wide breakout was his dazzling 36-points in last weekend’s 77-76 overtime win over NC State.
A game where Council notched a mind-boggling 9-15 rate from beyond the arc.
Council’s career three-point percentage sits at just 29.4%, continuing to reveal just how electric Council was in Raleigh, NC.
“I didn't have an idea if he was a 32 or 35 or 37 [minute player],” quoted head coach Bill Self prior to Kansas’ 79-43 Tuesday night win over Towson.
“But the one thing about Melvin that is unique, and I think we've only had a couple of guys like that ever, he can play all day. He doesn't get tired. And the one that comes to mind more than anybody was Brandon Rush. [He] never sat down in the timeout. I mean, he was never tired, and I think Melvin has that same type of tank that just doesn't seem to run out.”
Against Towson, Council kept his hot hand with a strong 6-13 night, including 3-6 from beyond the arc in a 15-point performance.
Bill Self explains rebounding flaws in latest win over Towson
Rush was a three-year player for Kansas, who started in 101 of the 109 games he played as a Jayhawk. Across his career, Rush averaged 13.6 points, .7 steals, two assists, 5.5 total rebounds, and 2.1 turnovers, oddly close to Council’s; however, Rush was the much better shot maker as the nine-year NBA veteran finished his career with a 44.9% field goal rate and a strong 43.5% three-point rate.
Council currently ranks as the 71st-most active player in collegiate basketball this season as the former Wagner player hits the court for 33.75 minutes per game on average, which leads all Kansas players.
The next chance for Kansas fans to see Council is on the 22nd, against the Davidson Wildcats. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m CT with streaming available on ESPN+.