Kansas fans, during Melvin Council appreciation season, which runs all season long in Lawrence, don’t forget to thank long-time ESPN columnist and reporter Adrian Wojnarowski.
After a long career in sports reporting, Woj stepped down to become the General Manager at St. Bonaventure, his alma mater, where he graduated in 1991.
In 2024-25, Melvin Council was a star for the Bonnies, averaging 14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on a team that finished 12th in the Atlantic 10. According to ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla, it was apparent with Council’s rising stock that the Bonnies would be unable to retain their star guard, and he entered the transfer portal.
During his visit to Kansas, Woj called former Kansas assistant coach Chase Buford, who was with the Jayhawks at the time (now with the Denver Nuggets), and told him, “If he visits, don’t let him leave the building.”
Of course, Kansas did not let him leave, and he’s now become a star and fan favorite in Lawrence. For the Jayhawks, it’s been much more of the same numbers-wise, with little to no issues with the step up in competition. Council is posting 14.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.
In the transfer portal era, that kind of honesty and good faith goes a long way. It says a lot about Woj to be willing to vouch for a player even after he’s departed the program. It may say even more about the character and passion Council has and plays with.
In the end, Woj got the best situation possible for a fellow Bonnie, and the fans in Lawrence should be grateful every single day.
