Melvin Council Jr. out until Big 12 play with broken foot

Kansas announced on November 9 that starting guard Melvin Council Jr. suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his foot during practice. He is expected to have surgery within days and will be out until at least the start of conference play, around January, coach Bill Self said. The team expects him to make a full recovery.

The injury leaves Kansas without Council for its Champions Classic matchup with No. 24 Kentucky in Chicago on November 10. Council started the Jayhawks’ first two games this season. He scored 10 points, added seven assists, collected six rebounds and recorded two steals in the opening-night win over Fordham.

Council averaged 12.7 points, 5.1 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 35 starts for Kansas last season. This season, he is averaging 8.0 points, five assists and 3.5 rebounds. His absence creates a gap in the backcourt, where Kansas will need other players to help initiate the offense.

Leroy Blyden Jr. is a likely candidate to step into the starting lineup, while Taylen Kinney and Tre White could also take on larger roles. Kansas may also turn to Keanu Dawes. Forward Tyran Stokes, a projected top pick in the 2027 NBA Draft, could see more minutes as the schedule gets tougher.

Kansas opens Big 12 play against West Virginia on January 2. Its early nonconference schedule features matchups with Kentucky, UNLV, Villanova, UConn and Ohio State.