Wichita State nabs its second ‘big-time athlete’ of the day in Ricky Council IV
Wichita State managed to upgrade the athleticism on its roster with its second high-upside signing of the afternoon on Sunday.
Ricky Council IV, a 6-foot-5 wing from Durham, North Carolina, became the second high school player in the class of 2020 to make his commitment to the Shockers, joining Chaunce Jenkins, a 6-4 combo guard from Newport News, Virginia. WSU also received a commitment from Connecticut graduate transfer Alterique Gilbert Saturday.
Council is familiar with current 2020 WSU signee JaDun Michael, who played his prep career in Burlington, N.C.
“Council is just another big-time athlete,” Rivals recruiting analyst Corey Evans told The Eagle. “Not sure of his all-around skill-set, but he’s a great high-motor guy that could evolve into a very sound and versatile defender. Great athlete that will excel out in open space and is more of someone that can impact the game without having a play called for him.”
After a week that saw a seventh scholarship player leave the program since the end of the season, WSU coach Gregg Marshall and his staff delivered a much-needed jolt of energy for its 2020 recruiting class over the weekend.
Council was named third team all-state in North Carolina and helped lead his team, Southern Durham, to the fourth round of the state playoffs. He is widely known in the area for his highlight-reel dunks and elite athleticism.
In WSU’s transition to the American Athletic Conference, it’s clear that Marshall wants to stockpile as many athletic wings as he can. At WSU, Council will have the time to develop and mature into the contributor WSU believes he can be.
Council IV was rated a three-star prospect by Rivals and 247 Sports and No. 361 nationally in the 247 Sports composite ranking. Assistant coach Tyson Waterman led the recruiting effort for the Shockers. Council picked WSU over offers from Hofstra, Georgia Southern, Siena, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina and Rice.
Council is the fourth freshmen slated to join the Shockers, as he will join Jenkins, Michael and Josaphat Bilau (a redshirt). Tyson Etienne is the lone sophomore, while Dexter Dennis and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler are the two juniors and Trey Wade and Gilbert are the two seniors.
This story was originally published March 29, 2020 at 6:28 PM.
.jpg)