Melvin Council Jr. Has Emerged as a Jayhawk Fan Favorite - Could There Be More to Come?
In just a few months wearing crimson and blue, Melvin Council Jr. has made a real imprint in Lawrence - not just with his game, but with his gratitude. The fifth-year senior guard has brought energy, leadership, and a clear appreciation for the opportunity to suit up for Kansas. And Jayhawk fans have taken notice.
So it’s only natural that the question is starting to bubble up: Could Council somehow return for another season?
Let’s back up a bit. Council’s journey to Allen Fieldhouse has been anything but traditional.
He spent his first two years at Monroe College, a junior college in New York, before stops at Wagner and St. Bonaventure.
His current season at Kansas - his fifth overall - became possible thanks to an NCAA waiver granted in December 2024, designed specifically for former JUCO players whose eligibility would’ve otherwise ended after the 2024-25 season.
But here’s where things get tricky. That waiver only granted one additional year of eligibility - regardless of how many years a player spent at the junior college level. So while Council technically played two years at Monroe, the waiver doesn’t automatically open the door for a sixth year.
Still, this isn’t a completely closed case. The original waiver was sparked by legal action from former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.
And now, both Pavia and Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar have additional lawsuits in motion that could impact how the NCAA handles similar eligibility cases moving forward. If those cases gain traction, they could potentially set a precedent that benefits players like Council.
Naturally, the topic came up during a press conference on Thursday, and Council didn’t shy away from the idea of sticking around.
“I haven’t looked into that, but I’ve been hearing things, seeing things and stuff like that,” Council said. “And I mean, I would love to come back if I had another year.
It’s Kansas, why not, you know? Bill Self.”
Hard to argue with that logic.
As for Self, he acknowledged that the situation is murky - and that the NCAA hasn’t exactly been generous with waivers lately.
“I know that there would have to be some things that are done,” Self said. “And the NCAA has made statements that they’re certainly frowning on waivers, so to speak.”
He pointed to a recent example: Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who had his appeal for a sixth year denied. Chambliss was seeking a medical redshirt for his 2022 season at Division II Ferris State, citing respiratory issues.
He had already taken a traditional redshirt in 2021, so the NCAA ruled that he’d already used up his eligibility - and denied his waiver. Now he’s pursuing legal action of his own.
“I think it was interesting to see that the NCAA denied Chambliss, if I’m not mistaken, a sixth year,” Self said. “And his reasoning for applying for it was because he redshirted one year at the Division II level, which still means he got … four to play four even after redshirting.
I don’t really know or understand, but would I love (to have Council back)? Absolutely.
I love coaching him.”
And it’s easy to see why. Council has been a steadying force for the Jayhawks this season, averaging 13.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.8 rebounds across 22 starts.
He’s been a two-way spark plug in KU’s backcourt - pushing the pace, attacking the rim, and defending with intensity. When fellow guard Darryn Peterson was sidelined or limited by injury, it was Council who often stepped up and kept Kansas afloat.
Now, with Peterson healthy and logging more minutes, the Jayhawks are starting to click. They’ve rattled off six straight wins and look like a team hitting its stride at the right time.
Next up: a Saturday showdown with Utah at 1:30 p.m. And while the focus remains on the current season, it’s hard not to wonder - could Council’s Kansas story have another chapter?
For now, it’s a waiting game. But if the legal dominoes fall just right, there might be a path. And if there is, you can bet both Council and Self would be all in.