Melvin Council Jr. shines as Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, leading Kansas with assists and steals, solidifying the backcourt's strength.
Melvin Council Jr. Earns Big 12 Honors After Strong Senior Season
Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. earned Big 12 recognition following a strong senior season that helped stabilize the Jayhawks’ backcourt.
Council, a transfer from St. Bonaventure, was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and received All-Big 12 honorable mention honors while also earning a spot on the conference’s All-Newcomer Team.
The senior guard from Rochester, New York, averaged 13.4 points per game and led Kansas with 160 assists and 34 steals. He ranks sixth in the Big 12 in assists per game (5.2) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.86), showcasing his efficiency running the offense.
Council’s steady play became especially important when freshman guard Darryn Peterson missed time during the season, providing the spark Kansas needed in the backcourt.
He capped the regular season with one of his best performances in Kansas’ Senior Day win over Kansas State, finishing with 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, narrowly missing a triple-double.
Kansas Places Three Players On All-Big 12 Honors as Jayhawks Prepare for Tournament Run
No. 14 Kansas men’s basketball placed three players among the Big 12’s top performers Monday as Flory Bidunga, Melvin Council Jr. and Darryn Peterson each earned conference honors when the league released its 2025-26 awards selected by Big 12 coaches.
Bidunga headlined the group, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year while also being named to the All-Big 12 First Team and the conference’s All-Defensive Team as a unanimous selection. Council was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition, while Peterson was selected to the All-Big 12 Second Team and the All-Freshman Team.
Bidunga has anchored Kansas in the paint on both ends of the floor this season. The sophomore center from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, leads the Big 12 and ranks second nationally with 84 blocked shots. He also leads the conference in field-goal percentage at 64.4%.
In addition to his defensive impact, Bidunga averages 13.8 points and a team-best 9.0 rebounds per game. His 12 double-doubles rank second in the conference, and he is the only player in NCAA Division I averaging at least 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game this season.
Council provided stability in the backcourt after transferring to Kansas, averaging 13.4 points per game while leading the team with 160 assists and 34 steals. The senior guard from Rochester, New York, ranks sixth in the Big 12 in assists per game (5.2) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.86). While Peterson missed time Council was the spark the Jayhawks needed in the backcourt.
Council nearly recorded a triple-double in his final regular-season home game, finishing with 17 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in Kansas’ Senior Day victory over Kansas State.
Peterson emerged as Kansas’ leading scorer in his freshman season. The Canton, Ohio, guard averages 19.9 points per game and has scored at least 20 points in nine contests. Peterson has also knocked down 53 three-pointers in 20 games.
Kansas (22-9, 12-6 Big 12) earned the No. 3 seed and a double bye in the Big 12 Tournament. The Jayhawks will begin postseason play in the quarterfinals Thursday at 8:30 p.m. CT at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
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