Melvin Council Jr. Claims Big 12 Spotlight with Record-Breaking Performance
Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. didn’t just have a big week - he had the kind of performance that gets remembered. The senior transfer from St. Bonaventure exploded for a career-high 36 points, drilling nine three-pointers - the most by any Big 12 player in a single game since the 2022-23 season - and put the Jayhawks on his back in a dramatic 77-76 overtime win at NC State.
Council’s performance earned him both Big 12 Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week honors - the first such accolades of his career, and the first for a Kansas player this season.
And make no mistake, this wasn’t just a hot shooting night. Council was electric in the clutch, scoring Kansas’ final 13 points in regulation and 18 of their last 25 overall.
When the game tightened up, he took over - calm, confident, and completely in control. He added seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal - and perhaps most impressively, didn’t commit a single turnover in the game.
This kind of all-around performance is exactly what Kansas hoped for when they brought Council in. He's showing not just scoring ability, but poise, leadership, and a knack for rising in the biggest moments.
Joining Council on this week’s Big 12 Starting Five are some other standout performers who made their own statements:
- Brayden Burries (Arizona): Burries helped Arizona maintain its No. 1 national ranking with a 28-point, seven-rebound outing in a dominant 96-75 win over No. 12 Alabama in Birmingham. His two-way impact continues to set the tone for the Wildcats.
- AJ Dybantsa (BYU): Dybantsa made the most of the big stage, dropping 28 points at Madison Square Garden in a thrilling 67-64 win over Clemson. He’s quickly becoming a go-to option for BYU in tight games.
- JT Toppin (Texas Tech): Toppin delivered a monster double-double - 30 points and 11 boards - against No. 17 Arkansas at the American Airlines Center. He controlled the paint and showed off a polished inside-out game.
- Honor Huff (West Virginia): Huff was as consistent as they come this week, scoring 24 points in each of the Mountaineers’ games. He’s emerging as a reliable scoring threat and a key piece for West Virginia.
Big 12 Weekly Honors Recap
Big 12 Player of the Week:
- Nov.
10 - Koa Peat, Arizona & Christian Anderson, Texas Tech
- Nov.
17 - Kingston Flemings, Houston
- Nov.
24 - P.J. Haggerty, Kansas State
- Dec. 1 - Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State
- Dec. 8 - Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State
- Dec. 15 - Melvin Council Jr., Kansas
Big 12 Newcomer of the Week:
- Nov.
10 - Koa Peat, Arizona
- Nov.
17 - Kingston Flemings, Houston
- Nov.
24 - Koa Peat, Arizona
- Dec.
1 - Moe Odum, Arizona State
- Dec.
8 - Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor
- Dec.
15 - Melvin Council Jr., Kansas
Council’s breakout week puts him firmly on the radar as one of the most impactful players in the Big 12 this season. If he continues to play with this kind of confidence and efficiency, Kansas could have a serious X-factor on its hands - one that changes the trajectory of their season.