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Fans Urge Sixers to Promote Rookie Standout After Win vs. Spurs

Ricky Council's supporters took to social media on Sunday to urge the Philadelphia 76ers to offer up a standard deal.
Justin Grasso|
Apr 7, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ricky Council IV (16) drives in
Apr 7, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ricky Council IV (16) drives in | Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

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Philadelphia 76ersSan Antonio Spurs

The Philadelphia 76ers faced a tough scenario on Sunday night.

Going into the matchup they knew they would be down two starters. Joel Embiid was ruled out after returning to action for three games. Tobias Harris missed his third game in a row.

While Tyrese Maxey was questionable to play, he was activated for the matchup once again. Maxey did everything in his power to help the Sixers collect a must-win battle over the Spurs. He produced a career-high 52 points while spending 54 minutes on the court.

The Sixers had a lot of help from the supporting cast, though, and one of the team’s two-way players stepped up in crunch time and had the fan base buzzing on social media.

Sunday’s matchup wasn’t the first time Ricky Council stood out to Sixers fans. All season long, the rookie had flashes of looking like a solid role player who could have an impact in a reserve role as early as his first pro season.

A 22-minute shift in San Antonio once again proved the Sixers have something in the former Arkansas standout, who went undrafted in 2023.

Sixers Fans React to Ricky’s Game vs. Spurs

Council attempted five shots from the field on Sunday night. He made all but one of his attempts, and knocked down the three free throws given to him to lead the Sixers’ bench with 11 points.

The rookie also came down with two rebounds and dished out three assists. His pass out to a critical three-point shot down the stretch of the second overtime period was the icing on the cake for Philadelphia, who escaped San Antonio with a 133-126 win.

The Sixers still have time to promote Council, who remains on a two-way contract. Recently, the front office proved they are willing to elevate their developmental prospects, as the two-way veteran Jeff Dowtin recently signed a standard contract with the team.

It’s unclear if Council could be next, but that’s certainly a scenario that Philly fans are pounding the table for as Council proved he belongs on Sunday.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s Philadelphia 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia Threads: @JGrassoMedia

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