When Melvin Council Jr. steps onto the hardwood for Kansas, he brings more than just skill - he brings presence. The kind of presence that turns heads, commands respect, and draws comparisons to Jayhawk greats. And lately, one name keeps surfacing alongside his: Tyshawn Taylor.
Now, that’s not a comparison tossed around lightly in Lawrence. Taylor was a cornerstone of Kansas basketball during his time, a fearless floor general who thrived under the bright lights. So when folks start linking Council to Taylor - both in style and substance - it’s worth taking a closer look.
Council Embracing the Legacy
Council isn’t shying away from the talk. In fact, he’s embracing it.
“That’s my big [brother] right there,” Council said when asked about the Taylor comparisons. “I love the comparison. He was a legend here, so if you’re going to compare me to him, so be it.”
It’s more than just lip service. The parallels between the two run deep.
Both are around 6’3”-6’4”, tip the scales near 180-190 pounds, and play the same position in Bill Self’s system. Taylor wore No.
- Council wears 14.
And while the jersey numbers differ, the impact feels familiar.
Council brings that same fearless “top dawg” mentality that made Taylor such a force during his time in Lawrence. He’s vocal, he’s confident, and he’s got that intangible ability to elevate the play of those around him. It's not just about scoring - it's about setting the tone.
Taylor Weighs In
And here’s the kicker: Taylor sees it too.
“For one, Melvin is a great basketball player,” Taylor said in an interview. “I feel grateful that I’m being compared to him the way that he’s playing. The way he’s been leading this team… I loved it.”
That’s high praise coming from a guy who knows what it takes to lead a Kansas team deep into March. Taylor didn’t just put up numbers - he was the heartbeat of his squad. And he sees that same spark in Council.
By the Numbers
Let’s talk production. Taylor’s final season in Lawrence saw him average 16.6 points, 4.8 assists, and shoot 38% from deep. Those are the kind of numbers that helped carry Kansas to the national title game.
Council, meanwhile, is putting together a stat line that’s turning heads in its own right: 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, shooting 41% from the floor and 34% from beyond the arc. He’s not just filling up the box score - he’s doing it efficiently, and he’s doing it while running the show for one of college basketball’s most demanding programs.
And he’s doing it consistently. Council is on pace to start 30-plus games this season, a testament to both his durability and his importance to the Jayhawks’ system. If this is indeed his final run in Lawrence before declaring for the draft, he’s making it count.
More Than a Comparison - A Legacy in Motion
Sure, it’s fun to draw the lines between Council and Taylor - and even Brandon Rush, another Kansas legend whose name has been mentioned in the same breath. But Council isn’t just following in anyone’s footsteps. He’s carving out his own path.
And that’s what makes this story special.
He’s not just a player who reminds fans of someone else. He’s a player who’s writing his own chapter in Kansas basketball history - one game, one assist, one fearless drive at a time.
If you’re watching Kansas this season, keep your eyes on No. 14. Not because he might be the next Tyshawn Taylor, but because Melvin Council Jr. is becoming something else entirely: a Jayhawk to remember in his own right.