Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. suffered a broken right foot in Monday's practice and will undergo surgery this week, the school announced.
Head coach Bill Self said he's hopeful Council will be able to return around the start of Big 12 play.
"Melvin broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot during Monday's practice and will have surgery in the next couple of days," Self said in a statement. "We expect a full recovery and we're hopeful he will return around the start of the conference season."
An honorable mention All-Big 12 pick last season, Council has started both games so far in 2026-27. He had 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists in the opener against Fordham, then had six points, three assists and three steals in Friday's win over Middle Tennessee.
Council averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists last season, his first campaign with Kansas after transferring from St. Bonaventure. The 6-foot-4 guard began his college career at Monroe College in 2020, sitting out his first season and then playing two years at the junior college level before transferring to Wagner for the 2023-24 season.
Council is currently eligible for a seventh year of college basketball via a preliminary junction in a New York state court; he argued that his junior college years should not count against his Division I eligibility limit.
"Melvin was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year last season and had a major impact on our program both on and off the court," Self said when Council returned to the Jayhawks in early October. "He brings a lot of experience and leadership to our roster, and we are excited to welcome him back."
Council is one of three Kansas players eligible via a preliminary injunction, along with returning starter Tre White and former Purdue star Trey Kaufman-Renn.
No. 15 Kansas faces No. 24 Kentucky in the Champions Classic on Tuesday (9:30 p.m., ESPN). Without Council, expect Self to rely more heavily on sophomore guard Leroy Blyden Jr., a former Toledo transfer averaging 10.5 points and 2.5 assists off the bench so far this season.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
