Former KU guard Melvin Council Jr. ‘thankful’ for his chance to make NBA roster
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Melvin Council Jr. accepted an Exhibit 10 training camp contract from the Pelicans.
- Council averaged 12.7 points, 5.1 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 2025-26 at Kansas.
- Council can earn up to $91,000 by spending at least 60 days with the Laketown Squadron.
Melvin Council Jr, didn’t despair after getting overlooked by 30 teams in the two-round 2026 NBA Draft that took place Tuesday and Wednesday in Brooklyn, New York.
Instead, the former University of Kansas guard quickly accepted an Exhibit 10 contract offer from the New Orleans Pelicans and soon will begin working out with the Western Conference team in preparation for five games in the Las Vegas Summer League, set for July 9-19 in Nevada.
“I’m just thankful that I get an opportunity to play on an NBA team,” Council Jr. said Thursday in a post-signing interview with ABC-TV affiliate WHAM in his hometown of Rochester, New York.
“I’m just blessed. I don’t care where I end up — G League, 2-way (contract). I’m just happy to be a part of the NBA. That’s always been a goal and I know it’s going to be some work and I don’t mind. Coming from Rochester (where he wasn’t considered a major college or NBA prospect), it hasn’t really sunk in yet. So when it sinks in, then maybe I enjoy that moment, but right now I’m just ready to work.”
The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Council averaged 12.7 points, 5.1 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game during the 2025-26 season at KU following his transfer from St. Bonaventure.
According to Hoopsrumors.com, Council’s non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 training camp contract will net him a bonus worth up to $91,000 if he spends at least 60 days with the Laketown Squadron, the G League affiliate team of the Pelicans.
If the 24-year-old Council plays well for the Pelicans’ summer squad and at the team’s preseason training camp in October, he could have his Exhibit 10 deal converted into a two-way contract before the start of the regular season. According to published reports, that would pay him $340,000.
Council thanked his dad, Melvin Sr., and mom, Chalonda Dillon, during his in-person interview with the Rochester TV station.
”These two people to my left and my right believe in me,” Council said of his parents. “They always told me not to put my head down. There were nights when I thought I wasn’t good enough but they always believed in me.”
New Orleans did not possess a first-round pick in the 2026 Draft. Jaron Pierre, a 6-5 guard from New Orleans, was selected with the No. 58 overall pick in the second round. Pierre finished his college career at SMU. Before that, he had stops at Wichita State, Southern Miss and Jacksonville State.
Council did all he could to get his name called in the 2026 Draft. First he was MVP of the Portsmouth Invitational for possible second-round NBA prospects or candidates for overseas play.
He then worked out for NBA teams New Orleans, Phoenix, New York, Charlotte, Dallas, Sacramento, LA Lakers and Clippers, Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Detroit and Orlando.
“I didn’t want to go to that at all,” Council said of the Portsmouth event in Virginia. He was speaking in an interview right before the draft with News 8 WROC TV.
“I told my agent I just want to stay and work out. I didn’t want to go because I felt like I went to Kansas, so I wanted to already get invited to the NBA (Combine), but it’s OK.
“That was actually the best time of my life. The G League Combine wasn’t like that, because you’re not playing for anything in the G League Combine. In Portsmouth you’re playing for a championship and I hate losing and the coach told me, ‘We’re going to put the ball in your hands. You do what you’ve got to do to win,’ and that’s what I did.”
Council averaged 19.3 points (on 45.6% shooting) with 6.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game in leading his Portsmouth Sports Club team to a 3-0 record and invitational title.
Of the ensuing individual workouts with NBA teams, Council said: “It was unbelievable. The only negative things I could say during that process were the flights that were getting delayed. That’s the only thing I didn’t like. Other than that it was great. Playing in front of GMs every day ... I was blessed. My agent did a good job by scheduling every team that wanted to see me go against five other guys.”
One of Council’s KU teammates, Tre White, also signed a free agent Exhibit 10 deal — his with the Miami Heat.
Of course Council’s backcourt partner at KU, Darryn Peterson, went No. 2 overall to Utah.
“I was on the phone with him last night. I told him, ‘I’m going to cry for you when I see you get picked No. 1,’’’ Council said to WROC-TV. “Being next to him on the same court … I’m from Rochester. I didn’t expect to play with anybody about to become the No. 1 draft pick. That’s hard to come by.
“He deserves it. I go to practice early. He’d be there and I’d watch him work out. It’s unbelievable, like that kid does not miss at all. I’d be missing a shot and be mad at myself but that kid is unbelievable and will be great in the NBA.”
Council keeps in touch with KU coach Bill Self.
“Coach Self ... he’s a great guy, very nonchalant, very, how we would say, animated,” Council said. “Being coached by him and knowing all the accomplishments that he’s had — coaching current players, players before me that were there … it was epic to be around him. It got to the point where the players were calling him my dad, so in one interview I was being funny. I was like, ‘Yeah coach Self, he’s my dad.’ It blew up. It really blew up. At Senior Night I made him bark. They said, ‘Coach Self would never do that.’ But he did it.”
It was in reference to Council’s saying: “If you want to be a dog, you’ve got to be a dog. Because if you are not a dog, you’re dog food.’’’
“I’m just a dog. I’m going to make it happen,” Council added confidently.
