PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers appear to have stumbled onto something of a diamond in the rough, undrafted rookie Ricky Council IV. The young player on a two-way deal has stepped up for Philadelphia in a time of serious need at the moment.
In the past three games with the Sixers down key pieces, Council is averaging 13.3 points and 6.3 rebounds on 46.7% shooting from the floor. That is terrific production for a player who hasn’t played much all season to now getting serious minutes in a pinch.
After putting up 13 points and four rebounds in Wednesday’s loss to the Miami Heat, one has to wonder if Council is ready for regular playing time when the Sixers come back from the All-Star break.
“I feel like I’ve made a statement for sure,” he said after the loss. “Now it’s just up to everybody else if they felt the same way.”
At this stage of the season and his young career, Council is just looking to continue to grow and build as a young player. He is taking in may feedback he has received from his coaches and his teammates as he looks to move forward as a player.
“It’s just game by game,” he added. “They tell me to stay ready. They’re proud of me. My teammates, for one, are super big in keeping positive thoughts in my head and just being able to stay ready so the coaches are just showing trust in me when they put me in the game. That’s all I need to see.”
It will be interesting to see what happens with Council when the Sixers come back from the All-Star break. They will be looking for him to step up and continue to give Philadelphia steady production off the bench.
[lawrence-related id=90536,90529,90522]