Council quickly earns trust of Arkansas staff

FAYETTEVILLE — A five-second video posted to an Instagram story is all Davonte Davis wanted to see to raise his expectations for the Razorbacks subsequent season.

On his cellphone from his house in Jacksonville, Arkansas’ third-year guard caught an eye-opening glimpse of Ricky Council’s athleticism. In late Might, the Wichita State switch had simply reported to campus and settled in, then he made his approach to the Razorbacks’ follow facility with different newcomers.

“I noticed a video of Ricky dunk, and his head was over the rim,” Davis mentioned June 17 with amusing. “I used to be like, ‘Maintain on now, is the objective lowered?’ That’s loopy. Once I noticed that, I used to be like, ‘Oh, yeah, we’re about to have an actual good group.’”

Council, a bouncy 6-6 wing with loads of potential on the defensive finish, figures to be a key to Arkansas’ success in 2022-23 because it goals to construct on back-to-back Elite Eight appearances. He surprised Davis final month along with his open-floor means and has carried out extra of the identical within the Razorbacks’ summer time practices and exercises since.

Arkansas coach Eric Musselman added that Council has had a minimum of one “wow” second every day the Razorbacks have been on the ground collectively.

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“At minimal one,” Musselman mentioned. “It is likely to be a dunk, it is likely to be a end in site visitors. However he performs with an unimaginable power.”

With 11 newcomers — six freshmen, 5 transfers — on Arkansas’ roster, roles for the upcoming season are up for grabs this summer time. Robust showings behind closed doorways and in entrance of the teaching employees are paramount in securing taking part in time.

Council, by all accounts, has put his greatest foot ahead in a brief period of time. Thus far, he has showcased all three of Musselman’s base ideas — effort, power, enthusiasm — and seems to be in his good graces.

“I’ve by no means had a participant in 5-on-0 skeleton after we dry run our alternative break in transition, I’ve by no means had a participant — in all of the years, together with NBA, minor leagues — run the wing so onerous in 5-on-0 skeleton dummy offense,” Musselman mentioned. “Perhaps to some coaches they simply point out it within the employees assembly. To me, it’s going to issue into his taking part in time that he runs that tough, fairly frankly, and he’s doing it in 5-on-0.

“What all that is about is: Who do you belief by how they conduct themselves day by day in follow? I’ve received a whole lot of belief in Ricky, I can let you know that proper now, simply by how onerous he’s operating, taking part in, doing the issues that we wish.”

Requested what he thought concerning the early reward from Musselman, Council deflected in a approach. Working the ground with objective is a precedence this summer time, and he’s hopeful that intentionality will profit him when the lights are brightest.

Based on CBB Analytics, Arkansas was within the 89th percentile nationally in 2021-22 with 12.6 fast-break factors per recreation. An athlete like Council will help the Razorbacks exceed that determine.

Council made 51 of 91 (56%) makes an attempt on the rim final season with the Shockers, based on Hoop Math knowledge. The rim scores and makes an attempt have been each good for No. 2 on the group.

“I do know they prefer to play quick, so if I run the wing like that each time, they’re going to search out me,” Council mentioned. “I’m simply centered on it proper now so it may carry over into the season.”

Past his athletic means, Council has impressed Davis with how quickly he has picked up Arkansas’ schemes and the minute particulars.

“Even within the weight room, he mentioned they didn’t do it down at Wichita State like we’re doing it down right here,” Davis added. “It’s form of new to him, however he’s studying actually quick. You may inform he’s mentally prepared for what’s subsequent.”

Council, partly, credited that psychological readiness to these he spoke with previous to signing with the Razorbacks. At Wichita State, he was shut with Trey Wade, who performed at Arkansas final season, and the 2 talked all through 2021-22.

As soon as within the NCAA switch portal, Wade supplied recommendation and perception into this system. Council mentioned he was additionally in contact with Au’Diese Toney, Arkansas’ premier perimeter defender a season in the past.

“I actually like (the group),” Council mentioned. “It’s a very good group. Good group of fellows off the court docket, as properly. Enjoyable to play with, and really aggressive. That’s what I like, for positive.”