KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas point guard Melvin Council Jr. is doing everything he can to get another season in Lawrence, Kansas.
According to court documents, Council filed a lawsuit in Douglas County on July 23 against the NCAA to get another year of eligibility for the 2026-27 college basketball season.
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Council is seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction against the NCAA and Chair of the NCAA Division I Cabinet Josh Whitman.
The lawsuit argues that despite reaching eligibility restrictions, “the NCAA unlawfully limits ability to compete in Division I intercollegiate competition, directly penalizing athletes who previously participated in athletic competition at non-NCAA member institutions.”
Council spent two years at Monroe College in New York before transferring to Division I Wagner College, then to St. Bonaventure and finally to Kansas. He spent just one season at each school.
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Court documents state Council’s decision to attend a junior college was not by choice and due to extenuating legal circumstances at the time, stemming from rape and sexual abuse charges in 2020. All charges were later dismissed.
The lawsuit also says that the NCAA’s five-year eligibility clock unfairly started when he enrolled at Monroe Community College, limiting his eligibility at an NCAA institution. Council was able to play at Kansas after a blanket waiver was issued by the NCAA in 2024, allowing former junior college and non-NCAA transfers with expiring eligibility to play during the 2025-26 season.
The NCAA recently voted to approve a new rule where players have five years of eligibility to complete within five years of high school graduation or when the athlete turns 19, depending on which comes first.
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Despite playing only one season with Kansas, Council’s impact on and off the court was immense, proving to be the heartbeat of the team and winning over the hearts of many Jayhawk fans with his tenacity on the court.
Council averaged 12.7 points, 5.1 assists and five rebounds with Kansas. If he is granted eligibility, he will join a talented Kansas team consisting of two McDonald’s All-Americans.
You can read the full lawsuit below.
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