The Kansas Jayhawks finished the 2024-25 season 21-13 and 11-9 in Big 12 conference play. In the Big 12 tournament quarterfinal, they lost, 88-77, to the Arizona Wildcats.
In the NCAA Tournament, things didn’t get much better for the Jayhawks, who lost in the first round, 79-72, to the Arkansas Razorbacks. However, during the offseason, things changed for the better in Kansas when the Jayhawks convinced Jayden Dawson (Loyola Chicago) and Tre White (Illinois) to transfer into their program.
Advertisement
The trend of good luck continued on Wednesday, when fellow transfer and pro prospect Melvin Council Jr. announced he withdrew from the 2025 NBA draft to play for the Jayhawks, per CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein.
Last season, with the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, Council averaged 14.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He also shot 43.5 percent from the field and made 81 percent of his free throws.
The senior helped the Bonnies reach the NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the opening round to the Kent State Golden Flashes, 75-56. In April, Council signed a financial aid agreement to join the Jayhawks for the 2025-26 season after spending two seasons in the Atlantic 10.
Arkansas Razorbacks forward Jonas Aidoo (9) and Kansas Jayhawks center Hunter Dickinson (1). Eric Canha-Imagn Images
The 6-foot-4 guard led the conference in steals with 72 and scored in the double digits in 29 games. His length and quickness pair well with fellow new commits Dawson and White.
Council’s withdrawal from the draft and return to college might be just what the Jayhawks need to get back on track and return to the Final Four.
