After winning a national championship in 2022, Kansas has underwhelmed in the NCAA Tournament, including a first-round exit this past season. The expectation for a program like Kansas is winning a national championship. Anything short of that is a failure. Because of the rough season and a few seniors, Kansas is looking at a complete roster overhaul for next season. They added a few transfers earlier in the portal, but Melvin Council Jr. committed to Kansas from St. Bonaventure on Wednesday. So, who is Council? How does he fit in with some of the other transfers? Is Kansas a title contender, or do they still have major flaws entering next season? Let’s dive in.
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šµ Rochester, NY#RockChalk x @melvincounciljr pic.twitter.com/yTfETgIlaM— Kansas Menās Basketball (@KUHoops) April 16, 2025
Kansas Picks Up Elite A-10 Guard Melvin Council Jr. in Transfer Portal
What Does Melvin Council Jr. Bring to Kansas?
Council does a little bit of everything, making him an attractive transfer. He averaged 14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game last season. He shot 43.5% from the field, which isn’t great and, also only shot 29.9% from three this past season, so his numbers are more efficient inside the arc. His three-point shooting for his size is troubling, but he provides elite play on both sides of the court. Council can score, make plays for others, or lock down an opposing player, averaging 2.1 steals per game this past season. Melvin Council Jr. also brings good decision-making to Kansas, only averaging 1.7 turnovers per game. Overall, his shooting is a liability, but his overall impact fits with how Kansas plays.
Besides Melvin Council Jr., Kansas has already picked up commitments from Tre White and Jayden Dawson. White averaged 10.5 points per game for Illinois this past season. Dawson averaged 13.9 points per game for Loyola Chicago. Neither averaged many assists, so Council fills in that gap. The problem is still the three-point shooting. Arkansas survived both Kansas and St. John’s because of their horrific shooting. Dawson shot 36.3% from three, making 86 total threes this season. However, White doesn’t provide much shooting either, only averaging 0.7 threes per game on 32.9% shooting. The modern game requires shooting, and Kansas hasn’t picked any up.
Kansas Still Has Major Holes
Looking at the current roster, it doesn’t seem like the Jayhawks are any closer to winning a championship than this past season. Even with Melvin Council Jr., Kansas is likely further away. Hunter Dickinson is gone, along with longtime point guard Dajuan Harris Jr. While they have picked up three good transfers, none of those players make up for the lost production, let alone elevate the team. Kansas still needs to find an elite three-point shooting wing and a bruiser on the block. Neither has been easy to come by in the transfer portal.
All the top, proven centers are gone. They will need to find a replacement soon or hope that Flory Bidunga can fill in more than he did this past season. Number one overall recruit Darryn Peterson will be a huge part of this team next season, but similar to Duke this season. It’s hard for even the best freshmen to lead a team to a national championship. Duke was the favoriteĀ but lost to experienced players. After a surprising commitment on Wednesday, Kansas should look at Treysen Eaglestaff. He shoots 37.1% from three for his career, averaged 18.9 points per game this season, and scored 40 points in a loss to Alabama. He’s the kind of elite scoring option the Jayhawks need. For now, Melvin Council Jr. at least marks off Kansas’ need for a playmaker.
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