Kansas basketball watched Melvin Council Jr. show grit toward the end of 2025-26 including receiving stitches. But now the Jayhawks received a new injury scare involving the star guard.

Council Jr. broke his foot during a recent KU practice, with coach Bill Self sharing Council will need surgery.

“Melvin broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot during Monday's practice and will have surgery in the next couple of days,” Self said.

But the past national champion winning coach added a silver lining to the setback.

“We expect a full recovery and we're hopeful he will return around the start of conference season,” Self added.

So Council doesn't appear to be out of the lineup completely yet. This despite suffering the break. He'll be greatly needed from a leadership, experience and outside shooting presence for the Jayhawks. He established himself as a reliable scoring threat on a team that produced NBA Draft lottery pick Darryn Peterson.

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But Council also thrived as a facilitator, showing a knack for eyeing the open man and dishing out the ball. So KU leaned into his versatility on the floor during some key games, especially during Big 12 action.

Kansas already is dealing with multiple roster changes and not just limited to Peterson becoming an NBA rookie. Star forward Flory Bidunga left in high profile fashion via the College Basketball Transfer Portal to Louisville. Bidunga even faced some vulgar Kansas fans during an Oct. 22 preseason game against the Cardinals. Self, however, called out those fans afterward and defended his former player.

KU ranks 15th overall and will face No. 24 Kentucky on Tuesday.