FAYETTEVILLE – The Philadelphia 76ers wasted little time in picking up perhaps the best free agent available after last night’s NBA Draft as the organization signed Arkansas’ Ricky Council IV to a two-way contract.
Council, who was an All-SEC pick by the coaches and media, transferred to Arkansas for the 2022-23 season and he thrived as a Razorback after two seasons at Wichita State where he was named to the AAC All-Freshman team in 2022-21 and voted the AAC Sixth Man of the Year in 2021-22. As a junior with the Razorbacks this past season, he nearly doubled his points, field goals made, free throws made and assists from his sophomore season as a Shocker.
The following are Council’s 2022-23 Highlights at Arkansas:
- USBWA All-District VII
- ALL-SEC 2nd Team (coaches and AP) … USBWA ALL-DISTRICT VII
- Named to the Midseason USBWA Oscar Robertson Trophy Watch List
- Scored 20-plus 11 times for the year (for a total of 15 for his career) … Scored in double digits in 31 of 36 games in 2022-23
- IN THE SEC, ranked: 1st in FT Made (173) • 2nd in FT Att (218) • 3rd in Scoring (16.1) • 3rd in Minutes (34:08)
- IN THE NCAA, ranked: 11th in FT Made (173 • 18th in FT Att (218)
- Played all 40 minutes in regulation a team-best six times and all 20 minutes of a half a team-best 24 times.
- SEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Dec. 5) … Averaged 22.0 points (70% FG and 8-8 FT) in wins over Troy and San Jose State
- 1 of 8 Razorbacks all-time who had 575+ points, 125+ rebounds, 80+ assists and 40+ steals in a season (581-130-81-40).
- IN THE UA SEASON RECORD BOOK: 173 FT Made (8th); 87 SEC FT Made (5th); 115 SEC FT Att (5th)
- Led the team with 581 points (16.1 average) and added 81 assists with 40 steals … Played in all 36 games with 29 starts
2023 Razorback #ProHogs:
- Anthony Black – 1st Rd (6th overall) – Orlando Magic
- Nick Smith Jr. – 1st Rd (27th overall) – Charlotte Hornets
- Jordan Walsh – 2nd Rd (38th overall) – Boston Celtics
- Ricky Council – free agent – Philadelphia 76ers
For more information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on Twitter.