Ricky Council IV Bio
Ricky Nickardo Council IV is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League. Born on August 3, 2001, in Durham, North Carolina, he has built his reputation as a versatile shooting guard through standout college play and early professional experience. Council played college basketball for the Wichita State Shockers and the Arkansas Razorbacks before launching his professional career in 2023. He has earned conference honors including AAC Sixth Man of the Year and Second-team All-SEC.
Listed at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and 207 lb (94 kg), Council combines size with a well-rounded offensive game. After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, he signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, developed between the NBA and the G League, and continues his career with the Vipers in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Ricky Nickardo Council IV was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina, where he developed his basketball foundation. He attended Southern School of Energy and Sustainability, a public high school in the same city, and emerged as one of the area’s top prospects. As a senior, Council was named third-team All-State after averaging 23 points, 9.5 rebounds, and five assists per game, showcasing an all-around skill set that attracted college recruiters.
Council comes from a basketball family, and his two older brothers also carry the Ricky Council name as continuations of his father’s name. Both Ricky Council II and Ricky Council III played college basketball, which helped shape his competitive approach and his understanding of the game. The family environment reinforced a strong work ethic and a clear pathway toward higher-level competition.
Path to Basketball
Coming out of high school, Council was rated a three-star recruit but received offers from a wide range of programs including Rice, Appalachian State, Elon, Hofstra, UMBC, Georgia Southern, Siena, James Madison, and Coastal Carolina. He chose to begin his college career at Wichita State, joining a program in the American Athletic Conference with a track record of developing guards. The decision allowed him to grow his game against experienced competition while adjusting to the pace of Division I basketball.
His progression through the college ranks was marked by steady statistical improvement and conference recognition. After two seasons at Wichita State and a transfer to Arkansas, Council positioned himself for a professional opportunity, ultimately entering the 2023 NBA draft as a junior.
Ricky Council IV Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Council began his college career at Wichita State in 2020. As a freshman, he appeared in 21 games and averaged 7.1 points and 3.4 rebounds, earning AAC All-Freshman team honors for his immediate impact. The award signaled his potential as a scoring wing with strong rebounding instincts for his position.
As a sophomore, Council played in all 28 of the Shockers’ games with seven starts and averaged 12 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. His elevated production earned him the AAC Sixth Man of the Year award, recognizing his consistent contributions off the bench. Following the season, he initially declared for the 2022 NBA draft before withdrawing his name and entering the NCAA transfer portal to pursue a stronger opportunity.
Arkansas Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Council committed to Arkansas over offers from Kansas, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, and Iowa State, stepping into a higher-profile role in the Southeastern Conference. As a junior, he averaged 16.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, demonstrating growth as a primary scorer and perimeter defender.
His performance with the Razorbacks earned him Second-team All-SEC honors at the end of his junior season. After the 2023 NCAA tournament, Council announced that he would forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2023 NBA draft, closing his college career on a high note.
Philadelphia 76ers / Delaware Blue Coats Era (2023–2025)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, Council signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on July 1, 2023. He was waived on October 20 but signed a new two-way contract with the team on October 25, continuing his pathway between the NBA roster and the G League affiliate.
Council made his NBA debut for the 76ers on January 2, 2024, in a 110–97 win over the Chicago Bulls, and on February 10, he recorded a career-high 19 points and 10 rebounds against the Washington Wizards. On April 13, he signed a standard contract with the 76ers. During the 2024–25 NBA season, he made 73 appearances with 12 starts for Philadelphia, averaging 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, before being waived on July 25, 2025. He was also assigned to the Delaware Blue Coats on January 26, 2025, as part of his two-way development.
Rio Grande Valley Vipers Era (2025–Present)
On October 18, 2025, Council signed with the Houston Rockets but was waived shortly after. On October 27, 2025, he signed with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League, joining the Houston Rockets’ affiliate to continue his professional development. The move positioned him for another opportunity to showcase his scoring and versatility within the Rockets’ system.
Playing Style and Strengths
Council is a versatile shooting guard with the size of a small forward, allowing him to score at multiple levels and defend across positions. His game features strong rebounding for a perimeter player, reliable perimeter shooting, and an ability to create his own offense, traits he refined during his time at Wichita State and Arkansas. He has shown comfort operating both on the ball as a creator and off the ball as a movement shooter.
Notable Events and Milestones
Council reached several career milestones during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, including his NBA debut against the Chicago Bulls on January 2, 2024, and a career-high 19-point, 10-rebound performance against the Washington Wizards. His progression from undrafted signee to standard NBA contract within the same season highlighted his development trajectory.
Ricky Council IV Career Achievements
Council’s career achievements include the AAC All-Freshman team in 2021, the AAC Sixth Man of the Year in 2022, and Second-team All-SEC in 2023, reflecting steady year-over-year growth from his first college season through his junior year.
Conference Awards
Council was named to the AAC All-Freshman team in 2021 after his first season at Wichita State, the AAC Sixth Man of the Year in 2022, and Second-team All-SEC in 2023 following his junior year at Arkansas.
NBA Debut and Career Highs
Council made his NBA debut on January 2, 2024, against the Chicago Bulls and recorded a career-high 19 points and 10 rebounds against the Washington Wizards on February 10, 2024.
Ricky Council IV Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Council’s two older brothers are also named after his father, Ricky Council. Both Ricky Council II and Ricky Council III also played college basketball, continuing the family’s connection to the sport across multiple generations.
Personal Life
Council maintains strong family ties rooted in Durham, North Carolina, where he grew up with his brothers and parents. His upbringing in a basketball household helped shape his path to the professional level.
2025 Season Performance
Council’s 2025 season began with a brief stint with the Houston Rockets in October, followed by his signing with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League on October 27, 2025. The move provided him with a fresh opportunity to develop within the Houston organization after his release from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Throughout the 2024–25 NBA season with the 76ers, Council appeared in 73 games with 12 starts, averaging 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. His role in Philadelphia showcased his ability to contribute as a rotation player, and his move to the Vipers positioned him to compete for minutes in the G League while remaining within the Rockets’ ecosystem.
Heading into the remainder of 2025, Council’s outlook centers on consistent production, perimeter efficiency, and continued two-way development. His track record of conference honors and NBA minutes suggests a pathway back to a standard NBA opportunity.