photo by: AP Photo/Annie Rice

Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr., left, dribbles while Texas Tech guard Jaylen Petty, right, attempts to defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas.

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.

But it’s not out of the question that some further lawsuit could potentially force the NCAA’s hand — as did the one brought by former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia that prompted the waiver in the first place. (In fact, there are pending legal actions by Pavia and Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar that could be quite pertinent to Council’s future eligibility.) As such, both Council and KU coach Bill Self were asked their thoughts on the matter of an extra year at a press conference on Thursday.

“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.”

Self he said he hadn’t studied in detail the prospect of a possible sixth year for Council.

“I know that there would have to be some things that are done,” Self said, “and the NCAA has made statements that they’re certainly frowning on waivers, so to speak.”

He referenced the rejection on Wednesday of an appeal for an NCAA waiver for Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who had also been seeking a sixth year. Chambliss was hoping for a medical redshirt for his 2022 season at Ferris State, at the Division II level, when he was apparently dealing with respiratory issues — he had previously taken a normal redshirt in 2021. But he was unsuccessful and now will take further legal action to attempt to obtain eligibility.

“I think it was interesting to see that the NCAA denied Chambliss, if I’m not mistaken, a sixth year,” Self said, “and his reasoning for applying for it was because he redshirted one year at the Division II level, which still means he got … four to play four even after redshirting. I don’t really know or understand, but would I love (to have Council back)? Absolutely. I love coaching him.”

Council is averaging 13.8 points, 5.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 22 starts for the Jayhawks. The point guard has played a key two-way role in KU’s backcourt and challenged opposing defenses with his speed and his touch around the rim; he also made key plays to sustain KU in many games when fellow guard Darryn Peterson was unavailable or limited due to injury.

Now Peterson is playing more minutes and the Jayhawks are starting to jell, having won six straight games. Their next matchup is against Utah at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.