Rochester Natives Jaden Bradley and Melvin Council Jr. Reunite on College Basketball's Biggest Stage

The childhood friends and travel basketball teammates face off as starters for No. 1 Arizona and No. 11 Kansas in a highly anticipated matchup.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 11:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jaden Bradley and Melvin Council Jr., who have known each other since childhood and played together on local travel basketball teams in Rochester, New York, are now starting at the Division I level for top-ranked programs. Bradley plays for the undefeated No. 1 Arizona Wildcats, while Council is a starter for the No. 11 Kansas Jayhawks. The two will go head-to-head on the court in a highly anticipated college basketball clash.

Why it matters

This matchup between Bradley and Council represents the culmination of their long-standing basketball friendship and the continued success of basketball players hailing from the Rochester, New York area. The game will showcase the talent of these two local products who have risen to the top levels of college basketball.

The details

Bradley and Council first played together on local travel basketball teams in Rochester as children, including the ICC Truth. They were among the best players in their age group, traveling to tournaments like the famous Gus Macker event in Syracuse. Bradley left Rochester before high school to play in North Carolina, while Council stayed local and shone at Greece Athena and University Prep. Despite their different paths, the two have maintained a close friendship over the years.

  • Bradley and Council first played together on local travel teams in Rochester nearly two decades ago.
  • Bradley left Rochester before high school to play in North Carolina.
  • Council stayed in Rochester, starring at Greece Athena and University Prep.
  • A couple years ago, Bradley and Council reunited to run a basketball camp at the Boys & Girls Club in Rochester with their long-time teammate, Keith Warren Jr.
  • Bradley and Council will face off on the court on Monday, February 9, 2026 when Arizona visits Kansas.

The players

Jaden Bradley

The starting point guard for the undefeated and No. 1 ranked Arizona Wildcats. Bradley left Rochester before high school to play in North Carolina, but still considers himself "a Rochester kid." He was a top high school recruit, playing first at the University of Alabama before transferring to Arizona.

Melvin Council Jr.

The starting guard for the No. 11 ranked Kansas Jayhawks. Council stayed in Rochester, starring at Greece Athena and University Prep, before taking a winding road to Kansas that included stops at a JuCo, Monroe College, Wagner, and St. Bonaventure.

Keith Warren Jr.

A long-time teammate of Bradley and Council, the three reunited a couple years ago to run a basketball camp at the Boys & Girls Club in Rochester.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Back in the days when Jaden Bradley and Melvin Council Jr. first shared a basketball court, all they could do was dream of nights like this one.”

— Billy Heyen, Author

“It's the culmination of two incredible basketball journeys that began nearly two decades ago in Rochester, N.Y.”

— Billy Heyen, Author

What’s next

The highly anticipated matchup between Jaden Bradley's Arizona Wildcats and Melvin Council Jr.'s Kansas Jayhawks will take place on Monday, February 9, 2026 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

The takeaway

This game showcases the continued success of basketball players from the Rochester, New York area, with Bradley and Council representing the latest in a line of local products to reach the highest levels of college basketball. Their matchup is a testament to the strength of the basketball community in Rochester and the ability of its players to excel on the national stage.