Melvin Council Jr.’s Future at Kansas Hinges on Courtroom Decision, Not the Hardwood
Melvin Council Jr. would love nothing more than to run it back in Lawrence for another season. He’s thriving in his first year with the Jayhawks, becoming a fan favorite and a key piece in Bill Self’s rotation. But whether Council gets a second act in crimson and blue isn’t up to him - it’s up to the courts.
Council’s eligibility for this season came courtesy of a blanket waiver issued by the NCAA last year. That waiver opened the door for certain JUCO transfers - specifically those without a COVID year - to play if their senior season fell in the 2024-25 academic year. It stemmed from a legal case involving former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who was granted an extra year of eligibility through an injunction.
Now, the next chapter in that legal battle is set to unfold. A hearing is scheduled for February 10 regarding Pavia’s ongoing lawsuit, which argues that JUCO seasons shouldn’t count against the NCAA’s five-year eligibility clock. He’s not alone in that fight - over 20 other athletes have joined the suit.
And there’s more legal action on deck. Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar is also seeking an injunction, with a hearing set for February 13.
Aguilar’s case takes things a step further, claiming that JUCO eligibility rules not only cut his playing window short but also cost him multiple years of potential NIL earnings. He spent three years in junior college before making the leap to FBS football, and he’s arguing that those seasons unfairly ate into his eligibility.
As the rules currently stand, JUCO years do count toward the NCAA’s five-year clock. For Council, that’s a big deal.
His path included two years at junior college, followed by a junior season at Wagner and a senior year at St. Bonaventure.
Thanks to last year’s waiver, his current season at Kansas is essentially retrofitted into that JUCO timeline.
But if Aguilar’s lawsuit succeeds, Council could have a path to return. He might be able to file a similar suit, push for another NCAA waiver, or benefit from a broader rule change that redefines how JUCO years are counted.
Council, for his part, is staying tuned in - even if he’s not diving into the legal weeds just yet.
“I haven't looked into that, but I've been hearing things, seeing things and stuff like that,” Council said Thursday. “I mean, I would love to come back if I had another year.
It's Kansas. Why not?
Bill Self.”
And Self? He’s open to the idea - but he’s also realistic about the hurdles ahead.
“I haven't studied it,” Self said. “I know that there would have to be some things that are done. And the NCAA has made statements that they're certainly frowning on waivers, so to speak.”
Self pointed to a recent case involving Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, whose waiver was denied just days ago. Chambliss had redshirted one year and missed another due to a respiratory illness while at Division II Ferris State. His case didn’t involve JUCO years, but it shows how tough the NCAA is being on eligibility extensions right now.
Still, if the legal dominoes fall in Council’s favor?
“Would I love that? Absolutely,” Self said. “I love coaching him.”
It’s easy to see why. Council has been one of the most consistent performers for Kansas this season, averaging 13.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. He’s also posting one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the Big 12 - a stat that speaks to his poise and decision-making in a conference known for its defensive pressure.
He’s not just a productive player - he’s a leader, a playmaker, and a glue guy who’s earned the trust of his teammates and coaches. And if the legal system gives him a shot at another year in Lawrence, there’s no doubt Kansas would welcome him back with open arms.
For now, though, Council’s future is in the hands of the courts - not the coaches.