Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate was disappointed after it was ruled that Charles Bediako couldn’t play college basketball for the program. Bediako has already signed a professional contract and played multiple seasons in the G-League. Under the NCAA rules, he is not allowed to transfer back to college.
Bediako previously earned a restraining order that would allow him to continue playing for Alabama, and he played five games as well. However, the final ruling is here, and a Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge denied Bediako’s attempt to continue playing. The judge said there was no reasonable expectation of being allowed to return to college basketball under NCAA rules.
In the wake of this ruling, Oats explained why he allowed Bediako to return in the first place. He also suggested that it was 100% worth doing it and he would do it “100 times out of 100.”
“There’s a reason a lot of G League players are trying to come back to college,” Oats said. “The money’s a lot better, the development’s a lot better. You get better coaching, a full-time dietitian, and a full-time strength coach. You’re not traveling on commercial flights and spending all your time in airports. He’s here, he’s in school.
“We’re going to help him try to gain back the weight he’s lost since he was in the G League. We’re going to continue to help his basketball development and continue to help his development as a student and a student-athlete. So 100% it was worth it. I’d do the same thing 100 times out of 100 for any of our guys when it made sense to do it with them.”
Bediako played two seasons at Alabama and entered the NBA draft after the 2023 season. He went undrafted and signed a two-way NBA contract and played three seasons in the NBA G League.
Since he has already turned pro, the NCAA didn’t allow him to return to play college basketball for Alabama. In response, Bediako sued the NCAA, arguing that the eligibility rules were inconsistently applied. As such, a judge issued a temporary restraining order allowing Bediako to play. In those five games, he averaged 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
“Monster Mash” Calls Nate Oats’ Defense For Charles Bediako “Nonsense”
CBB on TNT crew discussed Oats’ comments, standing behind Bediako in support. Jamal Mashburn called Oats’ reaction “nonsense.” The “Monster Mash” added that the bottom line is that Bediako gave up his eligibility to turn pro.
“He’s selling a lot there. He’s selling a lot,” Mashburn said. “From what he said about how the money’s better, you’re not going to become a better pro by going back to play in college. It’s just not happening. The pro game is a different game. I’m pretty much tired of the subject. The rules are the rules. The kid went pro. He’s trying to come back to school for whatever reason, NIL money or a scholarship, whatever it may be. He gave up his eligibility. That’s the bottom line.
“He’s trying to win games. I understand what Nate Oats is trying to do, but at the end of the day, that was just a bunch of nonsense when he’s comparing the G League to college, the dietitian and all those different things. He had all those things coming out of Alabama, and he still didn’t make it as a pro.”
Now, Bediako has no choice but to return to the G-League on a new contract. This ruling can be set as precedent for all those trying to return to college even after becoming pro.
Read More News:
“Egregious”: Brad Underwood Fumes at Officials as Key Calls Cost Illinois Game
ACC Champions Predicted as Hubert Davis’ May be Fuming at UNC Snub Days After Huge Win
Alabama HC Nate Oats Goes on a Rant After Charles Bediako Declared Ineligible by NCAA
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
