LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Melvin Council Jr. has returned to Kansas after he was granted a preliminary injunction in a New York state court allowing him to play a seventh season, the school announced Sunday.

Coach Bill Self said in a statement posted on X that Council would begin practicing immediately like Tre White did last week.

“Melvin was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year last season, and had a major impact on our program both on and off the court,” Self said. “He brings a lot of experience and leadership to our roster, and we are excited to welcome him back.”

White was among dozens of players granted an injunction in an Indiana state court allowing them to play a fifth season. White is a member of the Class of 2022 recruiting class that was excluded from a fifth season under the NCAA's age-based eligibility model adopted in June.

Council was the Jayhawks' starting point guard last season and averaged 12.7 points, five rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound native of Rochester, New York, began his career at a junior college in 2020. He sat out his first year, played two seasons at the junior college and then one season each at Wagner, St. Bonaventure and Kansas.

Council's attorneys said in court documents that Council was arrested and charged with first- and third-degree rape while he was in high school and went to a junior college because four-year schools wouldn't take him, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported. Council later was exonerated.

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