Melvin Council Jr.

Council attended University Prep Charter School in Rochester, New York. Following his high school career, he committed to play college basketball at Monroe College.^[1] As a sophomore, he became Monroe's all-time leading scorer after averaging 18.7 points per game, en route to being named to the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball All-America Team for the second consecutive year.^[2] Following the season, Council transferred to Wagner College.^[3] Against Howard in the First Four of the NCAA tournament, he scored a team-high 21 points, leading the Seahawks to their first ever tournament victory.^[4][5] Council finished the season averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, before transferring for a second time to St. Bonaventure University.^[6] He made an instant impact in his first season with the Bonnies, emerging as the team's leading scorer.^[7] After finishing the season as the team's leader in scoring and assists, he was named to the third-team All-Atlantic 10.^[8] Following the conclusion of the season, Council entered the transfer portal for a third time and declared for the 2025 NBA draft.^[9]

Council withdrew from the draft and announced his decision to transfer to University of Kansas to play for the Kansas Jayhawks.^[10][11] He established himself as one of the Jayhawk's starting guards, with head coach Bill Self describing Council as the team's "MVP" following the first ten games of the season.^[12] In December 2025, he was named the Associated Press National Player of the Week after scoring a career-high 36 points against NC State.^[13] After leading the team in minutes played and total assists, Council was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.^[14]