Melvin Council Jr. is everything Kansas basketball fans should want in a player

On Saturday at NC State, Kansas basketball guard Melvin Council Jr. had a career night in the 77-76 overtime win. Council, whose career high in made three-point shots was four going into the game, had made just five of his 27 attempts from behind the arc as a Jayhawk.

Against the Wolfpack, he nailed nine of his 15 long-range shots and scored 36 points. He carried KU to a massive road win in a hostile environment and earned the Big 12 Player and Newcomer of the Week awards.

Even before this game, however, Council was impressing with his overall play for Kansas. There is just something about him that makes you love him as a Kansas Jayhawk.

How is Melvin Council Jr. developing a legacy playing for the Kansas basketball team?

Council isn't a typical Kansas basketball recruit. His path to KU hasn't been paved with awards and laurels. He started off his career playing two years at a junior college, then played for Wagner one year, where he was All-NEC first team. He averaged 14.9 points per game and 3.5 assists but shot an abysmal 26.5 percent from three. Furthermore, he played 35.8 minutes a game.

Then he moved on to St. Bonaventure. He was good there, too: 14.6 points per game and 4.1 assists. He still could hit threes, making just 29.9 percent of his attempts. Not only that, but he played an incredible 37.1 minutes a game. He was named to the All-A-10 third team

There is a big jump in talent and competition from St. Bonaventure and Kansas. Give credit to Bill Self and his staff for identifying Council as someone who could possibly make that jump successfully.

Right from the beginning, Council has made his presence felt because of his attitude. During the summer, he made a comment that he wasn't going to take it easy on Darryn Peterson just because Peterson was one of the top recruits in the country. He said he wouldn't be doing the right thing unless he pushed Peterson to be the best he could be.

Council was showing the kind of fiery leadership KU has been lacking in recent seasons. Better yet, he's followed through. He hasn't played less than 36 minutes in any of his last seven games. During the Players Era Festival, in three games in three days, he played 38 minutes, 36 minutes, and 39 minutes, and he had his best game in the third, against Tennessee, when he scored 17 points, pulled in six rebounds, and dished out four assists.

Against NC State, he played 43 minutes and still had enough energy to will the Jayhawks to victory. He continues to carry the team as Peterson battles his leg issues.

Council still isn't a great, or even good, shooter. Before his explosion this past weekend, he made just 18.5 percent of his threes. His career day raised that average to 33 percent. Even his two-point attempts weren't falling. He's making only 39.0 percent of shots inside the arc.

There is time for his shooting numbers to improve, and they will, but Council offers so much more. He is a terrific defensive player and ball handler. He is a team leader who tries to lead by example. He is a "dawg" on the court, something KU has been lacking recently.

Council is a player KU fans should all love. He worked hard in his career and earned the privilege to play for Kansas, and he is thrilled to be a Jayhawk. That is obvious. He'd do anything within his power to make this team succeed. He should be your favorite Jayhawk.

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