Former Alabama center Charles Bediako recently sued the NCAA in an attempt to return to college basketball and play for Alabama again. Bediako was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2021. After not getting a chance in the NBA, Charles joined the G League in the 2023-24 season. The 23-year-old has played over 40 games in the G League.
The 7’0 center has now officially returned to Alabama, and head coach Nate Oats is reportedly set to play him against Tennessee on Saturday amid NCAA tensions. Popular names in the college basketball world like John Calipari, Rick Pitino, Tom Izzo, Mark Few, Matt Painter, Bruce Pearl’s son Steven have all sounded off on the NCAA’s lack of regulations around age restrictions.
After repeated outbursts from reputed coaches, NCAA president Charlie Baker announced that the NCAA will stop granting eligibility to prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract. However, after Charles Bediako sued the league, a judge’s ruling overturned the NCAA’s decision, and the G League pro is now eligible to return to college basketball. This series of events has reportedly also uncovered a rather suspicious detail about the judge who made the ruling.
“The judge who issued the Temporary Restraining Order that made former Alabama center Charles Bediako eligible is a massive donor for Alabama. Judge James Roberts Jr. is listed under the $100,000-$249,000 level of donor on Alabama’s NIL collective. For context, Charles Bediako hasn’t played for Alabama in three years and is resuming his eligibility for the end of this season. The Crimson Tide have a 19% chance to win the SEC per Polymarket. Incredibly suspicious move,” an Instagram post was captioned.
Fans online were having none of it and openly expressed discontent about the suspicious detail.
“Corruption at its finest,” one fan stated.
“They need all the help they can get,” one fan blamed.
“Well well well. Tom Izzo would’ve NEVER let this happen,” another fan claimed.
“It’s all intentionally done. The judge for Trinidad’s case is the same way for Ole Miss,” another explained.
“Shadiness right here,” another commented.
“Blame the NCAA for not doing their job and having no control over their own rules,” another fan said.
NCAA Insider Confirms Nate Oats Will Play Charles Bediako Vs Tennessee
During an episode of “Field of 68,” insider Jeff Godman shared that his source has confirmed that Bediako will play some minutes for Alabama on Saturday.
“There are a lot of coaches in the league right now in the SEC that are pissed off trust me. But Nate is according to my sources going to play Bediako. Then they have a hearing uh next Tuesday. So can play him Saturday then we’ll see what happens Tuesday for the rest of the season,” Jeff Goodman said.
Read more:
After Series of Major Setbacks, Mark Pope’s Kentucky Reportedly Make a Decision Which Might Upset John Calipari, Tom Izzo, Rick Pitino and More
After Rants from John Calipari, Rick Pitino, Former Alabama Star Sues NCAA Which Would Upset College Basketball Coaches
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