In less than one season in Lawrence, Melvin Council Jr. has quickly endeared himself to Kansas fans with his on- and off-court leadership, his high-energy play style and his frequent expressions of gratitude that he gets the chance to play for the Jayhawks in the first place.
So it’s no surprise that KU supporters have wondered about the possibility of getting the fifth-year senior guard back for another season. After all, he started his career with two years at the JUCO level at Monroe College, then played one each at mid-majors Wagner and St. Bonaventure; his fifth season, at KU, is a result of an NCAA waiver from December 2024 for former junior-college players whose eligibility would otherwise have expired following the 2024-25 season.
So why shouldn’t he get another waiver for the second year of junior college? Well, it’s not quite that simple, as the waiver from December 2024 only granted one extra year, regardless of how long the players in question spent in the JUCO ranks......
“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.”
"I don’t really know or understand, but would I love (to have Council back)? Absolutely. I love coaching him.”
Source:
Originally published in KUSports.com on February 5, 2026.
