Council on Verge of Rotational Minutes, Receives Longterm Contract from 76ers

Former Arkansas guard making most of opportunity in NBA after being undrafted free agent

Mar 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ricky Council IV (16) warms / Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Former Razorback guard Ricky Council IV received a huge pay raise Saturday from the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Sources: The Philadelphia 76ers are converting two-way G/F Ricky Council IV on a new four-year, $7.4 million NBA contract. Adds $864K in new money this season. CEO Adie von Gontard of Young Money APAA negotiated deal. Council has averaged 5.7 points in 9.3 minutes over 30 games. pic.twitter.com/GEd1s4YURV

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 13, 2024

The rookie has been playing under a two-way contract with the 76ers this season. However, Council’s performance over his first 30 games helped executive Daryl Morey make an easy decision to invest in the former Razorback. 

Council has been one of the most surprising newcomers to contribute at a moderate rate this season. He’s averaging over nine minutes per game while also scoring nearly six points per a night. 

In his first significant NBA action against the Washington Wizards, Council scored 19 points and pulled in 10 rebounds in a 119-113 victory. He displays elite athleticism which often leads to highlight dunks, solid court vision and improved three-point shooting. 

The 6-foot-6, 205 pound combo guard-forward is shooting at a solid 48% from the floor, 36% from beyond the arc and 75% at the free throw line. 

76ers coach Nick Nurse has thought highly of Council throughout the season. Council’s hard work to earn a contract and playing time in Philadelphia is about to pay off with an opportunity to join the rotation, per NBC Sports Nick Levick.

“First of all, I think that’s a heck of an accomplishment for him,” Nurse said following Saturday’s practice. “I would’ve said yes, we were excited on draft night when we got him to agree to come play for us."
“I thought his summer league was so-so. But since then, man, he’s really done a great job. He’s absolutely earned this spot with everything he’s done. I keep saying this: He competes. Every day he goes hard here. … Walkthroughs or whatever, he’s doing them hard.”
“His shooting has improved. He’s got a unique kind of athleticism that lets him drive and draw fouls. He’s a little bit versatile on defense. He can guard on the perimeter. He can guard up, again because of his athleticism.”
“I would say there were at least three times against the Magic I just about pulled the trigger to put him in the rotation. So he’s right on the edge of that, depending on what we’re seeing, who’s out there, what the foul trouble is and all that kind of stuff.”

“We feel like, just like in the San Antonio game, he’s a little bit of an X-factor guy. He can go in there and sometimes just change energy and change rhythm or make a few plays. So I’m really happy for him.”

- 76ers coach Nick Nurse

Council spent one season with Arkansas under Eric Musselman in 2022-2023. He led the Razorbacks in scoring with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists per game. The North Carolina native began his collegiate career with WIchita State and earned AAC All-Freshman honors in 2020-2021. Then, followed up a solid freshman campaign with AAC Sixth Man of the Year as a sophomore in 2021-2022 before transferring to Fayetteville.

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