It took just days for Melvin Council Jr. to be fully embraced by the Kansas Jayhawks.
Sometimes, when you hear fans or coaches talk about a “lovable” player, it can really be code, meaning that said “lovable” player can’t take his game to the next level.
But that isn’t why Jayhawk Nation loved Council from the tipoff of Kansas’ first regular-season game against the Green Bay Phoenix. His passion for each possession was the easiest thing to notice on the court. Combine that with an elite defensive skillset and an impressive acrobatic ability in the air, and you have someone who can capture the hearts of any collegiate fanbase, even one of the most demanding, like KU is.
Earlier Thursday, it was announced that Council would be joining the New Orleans Pelicans as an undrafted free agent. According to Dushawn London of 247Sports, Council was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract.
Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. has signed a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, source tells @247Sports pic.twitter.com/ZrBbeNmFM9
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) June 25, 2026
Exhibit 10 contracts are a great opportunity for an NBA franchise to allow a player to prove themselves during the team’s summer league campaign. Details explaining the contract can be found here.
Council proved his all-around stardom on the hardwood all throughout last season
By no means is Council the perfect player. While he consistently blew past players to get into the lane, his finishing around the rim was anything but, which is why his field goal rate finishes at a 39.2%, including a 30.8% mark from beyond the arc.
Overall, Council averaged 12.7 points per game, along with five rebounds, 5.1 assists, with a season-high of 36 in an astounding shooting performance against the NC State Wolfpack in Kansas’ narrow 77-76 overtime win in early December. Council’s strong senior season earned him the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year award, becoming Kansas’ fourth Newcomer of the Year award winner, and first since Hunter Dickinson in 2024. Council was also nominated as an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
According to John Hollinger’s game score metric, Council finished with a 9.8 average. .2 away from what Hollinger considers “average.” However, this is a metric that is heavily defined by scoring, so for someone like Council, who was either very hot or very cold from the field, a 9.8 proves his worth.
Last season, Council led the Jayhawks in assists (177), steals (36), minutes (1,217) and turnovers (66).
Council, of course, battled through the JUCO system for two years before moving on to Wagner, for the 2023-24 season, then taking the step to St. Bonaventure for one season, before joining the Big 12.
Council will be paired up with another former Kansas star
Dickinson spent his first year in the NBA with the Pelicans, playing primarily for the Pelicans’ G-League affiliate, the now Laketown Squadron. Last season, Dickinson averaged 18 points per game, to go along with 10.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, one steal and .9 blocks over 33 games.
When given the chance in the NBA, Dickinson did relatively well. In his five games, Dickinson finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, two blocks and three turnovers.
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