Kansas star Melvin Council Jr. takes long journey to his 1st NBA contract originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Melvin Council Jr. didn’t have a straightforward path to the NBA.
But after a season with the Kansas Jayhawks, Council finally has an NBA opportunity, and it’s been a long time coming.
Council has signed as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Pelicans, according to USA Today.
The Pelicans are a team still trying to build up a foundation, and while Council will have an uphill climb, it’s a team for which he could certainly get an opportunity if he plays well enough.
Council is from Rochester, N.Y., where he was a high school star for University Prep.
He began his college career at Monroe College, a D-I junior college in downstate New York.
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He then went to Wagner College for a season, and he parlayed that into a spot at St. Bonaventure for a season.
Finally in 2025-26, Council got a high-major chance, going to perennial power Kansas.
Council was voted Big 12 Newcomer of the Year after averaging 12.7 points and 5.1 assists per game for the Jayhawks.
More of a slasher, Council’s key swing skill toward his NBA chances will be whether he can improve his shooting from beyond the 3-point arc.
Council can likely get buckets in the G League even without that.
But to work effectively in an NBA pick-and-roll, Council’s shooting will need to catch up to his playmaking.
He’s got his chance now, and it’s up to Council to try and seize the opportunity.
