BOSTON — With the Philadelphia 76ers having so many pieces in and out of the lineup, the door has opened for undrafted rookie Ricky Council IV to get playing time.
In 19 minutes on the road on Tuesday, Council poured in 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting with four rebounds as the Sixers fell to the Boston Celtics, 117-99. The final result aside, the growth the rookie has shown on a nightly basis has been impressive.
“The more I’m able to be on the court, learn from my mistakes, and be in practice with the guys and see everything, it means a lot for me,” Council explained. “It’ll help my game continue to grow.”
It has shown on the floor. He’s averaging 6.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.7 minutes per game in his rookie season after going undrafted out of Arkansas. He is going to continue to grow with more playing time, and he isn’t looking for his own offense.
He just wants to fit in and help the Sixers any way he can.
“Just knowing what I do,” Council explained. “They haven’t really asked anything different of me. Play hard, offensive rebound, defensive rebound, play defense, cut. I don’t think that’s going to change this year.”
His role is likely not going to change in 2024, but in his second season? With more development on the court and in the weight room? There is a possibility.
“Maybe next year a bigger role will present itself, but I’m happy doing my role,” he added. “I was just telling my teammate … he was (saying) he could’ve hit me on the pop a couple of times. I’m like, ‘Man, keep it. You can shoot whenever you want to shoot. I’m going to go crash.’ I’m not tripping about having the ball in my hands. I’m just doing whatever I can to help my team win.”
The performance Council put on in Boston in such a hostile environment is impressive considering the situation the Sixes are in. He put on a performance comparable to his showing against the Washington Wizards on the road on Feb. 10 when he had 19 and 10 rebounds.
“I was thinking last night about how good it’d be for me to have a Washington-type game — come off the bench unexpected and help us to a win,” he finished. “I played pretty good and, obviously, we didn’t win, but to play against the best team in the NBA and have that type of performance means a lot to me.”
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