Arkansas among finalists for Wichita State transfer Ricky Council IV



Arkansas has made the cut for one of the most coveted prospects in the transfer portal in former Wichita State standout guard Ricky Council IV, who trimmed his list to a top six today that included the Razorbacks along with Alabama, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Kansas and Iowa State. He announced his finalists via Instagram.

The 6-6, 205-pound native of Durham (N.C.) submitted his name into the NBA Draft pool and announced his intent to explore transfer options on April 21 and has been heavily pursued since.

Council was named the AAC Sixth Man of the Year in 2021-22 after averaging 12.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game on 43.7% shooting from the field, 30.6% from beyond the arc and 84.9% from the charity stripe for the Shockers. 

Arkansas’ roster currently projects to be full at 13 scholarships with the potential to be one over should All-SEC forward Jaylin Williams opt to return for the 2022-23 season. In other words, room would need to be made for the Razorbacks to accommodate another addition from the portal.

Council scored in double-figures 17 times on the season, including a season-high 31 against UCF on January 26. Council also logged a pair of double-doubles for Wichita State, including a 17-point, 10-rebound effort against No. 14 Houston on February 20.

After flying under the radar during his high school recruitment — 3-star, No. 403 nat’l in the 2019 class — Council quickly carved out a role for himself in Wichita State’s rotation as a true freshman in 2020-21, averaging 7.1 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 44.4% from three in just under 16 minutes of action per contest.

Arkansas — coming off consecutive Elite Eight appearances — is looking to take things to another level in 2022-23. With eyes on making another splash via the transfer portal this spring, Council joins former Memphis wing Emoni Bates as two of the top available prizes remaining who have included the Razorbacks on a list of finalists.

The Razorbacks are currently set to welcome 10 newcomers into the fold. Head coach Eric Musselman has added four transfers so far in the offseason in forwards Trevon Brazile (Missouri), Jalen Graham (Arizona State), Makhi Mitchell (Rhode Island) and Makhel Mitchell (Rhode Island).

The Hogs have also compiled the No. 2 incoming freshman class in the country that includes a trio of five-star, McDonald’s All-Americans in No. 4 ranked guard Nick Smith Jr. (North Little Rock, Ark.), No. 17 overall point guard Anthony Black (Duncanville, Texas) and No. 18 ranked forward Jordan Walsh (Cedar Hill, Texas).

In addition, Arkansas is bringing in three more top-100 freshmen in four-star, No. 62 ranked combo guard Derrian Ford (Magnolia, Ark.), four-star, No. 85 ranked small forward Barry Dunning (Mobile, Ala.) and four-star, No. 91 ranked small forward Joseph Pinion (Morrilton, Ark.).

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