Charles Bediako is back to playing college basketball. That’s the biggest storyline related to the Alabama Crimson Tide’s center. He last represented Alabama in college basketball back in 2023 during his three-year stint.
Bediako then went to the NBA Draft in 2023 and remained undrafted. Since then, he has been playing basketball for G League teams, including the Motor City Cruise and the Austin Spurs. Now, he’s back to college basketball.
Bediako’s return has been highly controversial. Many believe that the G League experience gives him an unfair advantage over the players who have only played college basketball.
The 23-year-old filed a lawsuit on Tuesday to gain immediate reinstatement and join his team for the rest of the season. On Wednesday, a Tuscaloosa judge ruled that Bediako “is immediately eligible” to be a part of the Alabama team.
The Alabama Crimson Tide is set to play the Tennessee Volunteers today at Coleman Coliseum. If Bediako steps on the floor today, it’ll mark a historic return of the star. However, his availability is still in doubt.
On Thursday, head coach Nate Oats was asked about Bediako’s availability by the media. The coach informed that Bediako had suffered a minor injury and was going to remain a game-time decision.
“Chuck got dinged up at practice today… dealing with a little bit of a leg issue. He’ll be a game-time decision Saturday,” Oats said.
Bediako’s attempts to come back to college basketball have brought him very close to playing for Alabama again. Other than the injury that he’s currently dealing with, nothing is stopping Bediako from being in the Crimson Tide lineup.
NCAA’s Statement on Charles Bediako
Bediako’s controversial return to Alabama has been dubbed dangerous for the future of college basketball. Many believe it sets a terrible precedent for other players to exploit the loophole and gain an unfair advantage over college athletes.
The NCAA has been very clear about its stance on the matter. In addition to the unfair advantage, the NCAA believes that instances like this will take away the opportunities originally meant for high school students.
“These attempts to sidestep NCAA rules and recruit individuals who have finished their time in college or signed NBA contracts are taking away opportunities from high school students,” the NCAA said in a new statement.
“A judge ordering the NCAA let a former NBA player take the court Saturday against actual college student-athletes is exactly why Congress must step in and empower college sports to enforce our eligibility rules.”
Amid all the controversy, Alabama has stood in support of Bediako, openly endorsing his effort to be reinstated for competition at the collegiate level.
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