When Nate Oats signed Charles Bediako to the Alabama Crimson Tide, he sent shockwaves across all of college sports, as he essentially allowed a player who has turned pro to go back to play college basketball. This has led to courtroom battles and a lot of other teams handing in complaints, as well as effectively handing extended eligibility to a lot of other players.
On Saturday, ‘Bama will take on the Tennessee Volunteers, and it is looking like Nate Oats will be playing his most controversial player. However, Charles Bediako would not be starting, and ESPN college sports insider Pete Thamel believes he will have another role.
He spoke about Bediako’s re-debut during ESPN’s College GameDay, and says that while the controversial center will not be starting Saturday, the game will determine if he will get more minutes with the Crimson Tide.
“Nate Oats has told me Charles Bediako will definitely play for Alabama (against Tennessee). He will not start,” Thamel said. “He has gone through one walk through and one practice for the Tide, but he is expected to play minutes. And Oats said, ‘Look, if he plays well, we’re going to play Charles Bediako more minutes tonight.'”
Alabama is also facing some injury problems at the moment, with five players listed on the injury report. To make things more complicated, two of its best scorers, Aden Holloway and Amari Allen, are listed as questionable and will be game-time decisions. This means that Oats will have more incentive to play Bediako.
An Alabama booster judge issued a temporary restraining order that is expected to last for 10 days, granting Bediako immediate eligibility until possibly Tuesday when the next hearing on the case is scheduled to take place.
Nate Oats Speaks On Charles Bediako Situation
With a lot of criticism coming his way from left and right, Nate Oats is well aware of the controversy surrounding his decision to sign Charles Bediako. The former G-League player has raised eyebrows since his college return, but Oats is standing by his decision:
“Everybody’s going to have their opinions. I respect them. I’m focused on our team and what we need to do to get better. That’s where I’m going to keep my focus on,” Oats said. “Focusing on all that other stuff distracts me from doing my job.”
Charles Bediako had played for three different G-League teams after leaving Alabama after two seasons. He had signed with various NBA teams, including the San Antonio Spurs, but his pro career never went anywhere, prompting him to return to play college ball. However, the fact that he played in the G-League, has raised many questions.
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