Ricky Council IV’s Offensive Style Compliments OKC Thunder
Ricky Council IV may be the third highest ranked prospect out of Arkansas in the 2023 NBA Draft, but he still brings plenty of value.
Council was a key reason the Razorbacks made a run to the Sweet 16 this season, which included an upset win over top-seeded Kansas. While Council may not have been the best player on the roster, he never shied away from taking over games and taking big time shots.
Nick Smith Jr. and Anthony Black received most of the hype, and continue to as the draft draws near, and rightfully so, but Council provides another talented prospect, that OKC has a great chance to be in position to grab early in the second round.
Overall, it is possible Council goes in the first round, NBC projected Council to be drafted with the 29th pick by the Pacers. Though it is possible he could slip down to OKC’s second round pick.
Council led the Razorbacks in scoring with 16.1 points per game, he also notched 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this season. Council was in his first season with the Razorbacks after completing his first two collegiate seasons at Wichita State.
Over the course of his collegiate career Council’s scoring has gone up, while his field goal percentage has hovered around 43% all three seasons. However, one of the few statistical categories that got worse for Council, may be one of the most important in the current NBA. His 3-point percentage lowered each season, as he took more attempts. After a 44.4% mark his freshman season on 1.3 attempts per game, Council’s percentage dropped to 27% this season with Arkansas on 3.5 attempts.
Despite the less than stellar 3-point numbers he ended with, Council still projects to have good upside and can be a valuable addition to an NBA roster. His offensive style matches how OKC likes to run its offense. He thrives in transition and uses his 6-foot-6 bulky frame to get downhill to the rim. He’s a hardwired scorer who does his best work near the rim when he’s able to drive the ball.
He also provides versatility defensively, as a bigger guard who can match up one-on-one with the one through three spots on the court. Council would enter a guard room with other already talented defenders, who he can learn from and continue to build that part of his game.
While Council as a prospect has his deficits, he provides a skillset that would mesh well with the current OKC roster makeup, especially with his transitional based offense. If he does slide into the second round, OKC would be getting good value with a first round talent.
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