Charles Bediako’s eligibility saga with the NCAA is far from over. Bediako was denied a preliminary injunction to play by Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet on February 9. Bediako has reportedly gone to the Alabama Supreme Court to challenge the lower court’s decision denying his eligibility.
The center played for Alabama from 2021-23 before entering the NBA draft and spending three seasons in the NBA G League.
Earlier this season, under the temporary restraining order, Alabama was able to play Bediako in five games, where he averaged 10 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. In his presence, the Crimson Tide went 3-2.
Bediako’s attorneys have also filed a case in the Tuscaloosa Circuit Court seeking interim injunctive relief to continue playing this season while the appeal is pending. This is important since it is unclear when the Alabama Supreme Court will hear the case and bring a resolution.
“The University of Alabama’s regular season ends on March 7, the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament takes place from March 11 – 15, and the NCAA Tournament will be held from March 17 through April 6. Plaintiff’s appeal is unlikely to resolve before the season concludes. Without interim injunctive relief, the whole purpose for Plaintiff’s appeal — the ability to play basketball for the University of Alabama for the remainder of play in 2026 — will be null,” the document read.
Bediako played two seasons before leaving for the NBA draft. He had two seasons remaining but chose to turn pro.
Charles Bediako vs NCAA: Background of the Eligibility Battle
Charles Bediako went undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft. He signed professional contracts (including a two-way NBA contract) and played in the G League. Because of this, the NCAA has denied him the right to return to college basketball. The NCAA has said they won’t grant eligibility to players who have signed NBA contracts, even if they never played in an actual NBA game.
Meanwhile, Bediako and his legal team argued that the NCAA’s rules were being applied unfairly, while also pointing out recent cases where former professional players were cleared to play.
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