In what felt like an inevitability, the Sixers plan to convert Ricky Council IV’s two-way contract to a standard deal, a league source confirms to Liberty Ballers. Shams Charania of The Athletic first reported the deal, also adding the terms of four years and $7.4 million.
It’s been a quite a journey for Council (check out our full feature). The North Carolina native went from three-star recruit to Wichita State to starring at Arkansas to going undrafted to landing a two-way spot with the Sixers. After flashing in several games with the team, Daryl Morey and company will have the young wing’s services for the foreseeable future.
Council’s breakout game came back in February against the Wizards. In his first real NBA action, Council put on a show in D.C., scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to help an injury-plagued Sixers team get a win. Most recently, he played a critical role in the Sixers’ double overtime win in San Antonio, challenging the Spurs’ rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama at the rim on his way to 11 points, three assists and four steals.
Ricky Council II, who serves as his youngest brother’s manager for Young Money Sports, recently spoke with Liberty Ballers in a phone interview for the aforementioned feature.
Here’s a quote that didn’t make that story, but feels notable now.
“He’s the type of player and person that would like to stay in one place,” Ricky II said. “He never really wanted to even leave Wichita State, but as far as advancing his career and making it to where he is now, that was the best decision. If he could’ve stayed at Arkansas all the rest of his years he was eligible, he would’ve did it.
“But I think now you get in the NBA you have an opportunity to be in one place for a long time. I feel as though he wants to stay there. He wants to win. He wants to be a part of something special.”
Ricky IV feels plenty of gratitude for the Sixers’ brass taking a chance on him, especially knowing they didn’t have a draft pick.
“Wherever I end up in my career, I’m always going to be super thankful for them,” Ricky IV said. “Why I’m even more thankful for them is they didn’t have a draft pick. So they technically didn’t look over me. They didn’t have a draft pick. They got me out of everybody, so I was their No. 1 pick — me and [Terquavion Smith]. That’s how I look at it. So at the end of the day, if this is my last year or I get cut tomorrow, I’ll always be blessed to have them.”
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