Kansas Eyes Veteran Guard Melvin Council Jr. Amid Roster Overhaul

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self is actively pursuing veteran guard Melvin Council Jr. as the team seeks to rebuild its roster following significant departures to graduation and the transfer portal. The 6-foot-4 senior from St. Bonaventure averaged 14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists last season, establishing himself as a versatile presence on both offense and defense.

In addition to his scoring and playmaking, Council recorded 2.1 steals per game, ranking third in the Atlantic-10 in Defensive Win Shares. His defensive prowess makes him a valuable addition as the Jayhawks look to enhance their backcourt depth.

With nearly their entire roster in flux, Kansas is hoping to stabilize its lineup, and Council is positioned as a key target. Recently, he narrowed his options down to four programs, including Kansas, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Mississippi State. According to reports from On3 Sports, Council is expected to visit the Kansas campus this weekend, providing a critical opportunity for the Jayhawks to recruit one of the most dynamic guards still available.

The potential addition of Council would complement the transfer class already welcomed by Kansas, which includes guard Jayden Dawson from Loyola-Chicago and wing Tre White from Illinois. Furthermore, the Jayhawks are also focused on securing talent in the Class of 2025, notably targeting combo guard Darryn Peterson, ranked as the top prospect in the nation, alongside wing Samis Calderon.

As the roster undergoes a significant transformation this offseason, Self aims to create a well-balanced team around incoming freshman Peterson, a projected top-3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. While expecting Peterson to take on a substantial role, Self will rely on returning backcourt contributors Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell, along with additional transfer portal acquisitions to enhance the team’s competitiveness.

Previously, Council spent time at Monroe College before transferring to Wagner, where he played a pivotal role in helping the Seahawks reach the NCAA Tournament in 2024. At St. Bonaventure, he continued his success, earning All-A-10 Third Team honors while starting in all 34 games and logging an impressive 37.1 minutes per contest. His stamina and defensive metrics are expected to align well with Self’s coaching philosophy, making him an appropriate fit for the Jayhawks.

While Council has not yet established a commitment timeline, Kansas remains a top contender for his services. Jayhawks fans are encouraged to keep an eye on his recruitment as it unfolds in the coming days.