Alabama men’s basketball could be getting a major midseason boost - at least for the moment - and it’s igniting a much larger conversation about the NCAA’s eligibility rulings.
Former Crimson Tide center Charles Bediako is back in Tuscaloosa, back on the roster, and - thanks to a temporary restraining order issued earlier this week - back on the court. The order, granted by Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge James H.
Roberts, gives Bediako immediate eligibility to participate in all basketball activities and games. It’s a short-term ruling that expires in 10 days or when a hearing is held, whichever comes first.
That hearing is currently scheduled for Jan. 27.
In the meantime, Alabama plans to play Bediako in Saturday’s marquee SEC matchup against No. 17 Tennessee (7:30 p.m.
CT, ESPN), and it’s easy to see why. The 7-footer hasn’t suited up for Alabama since 2023, but his presence in the paint was a difference-maker during his collegiate career.
Since then, he’s spent time in the G League and signed NBA contracts - though he never appeared in an NBA game.
The move has sparked plenty of debate, and Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne didn’t shy away from weighing in. Posting to social media late Friday night, Byrne voiced frustration with what he sees as a lack of consistency in the NCAA’s eligibility decisions.
“I think it’s safe to say the majority of us have concerns about the state of college athletics and are all for uniformity versus inconsistencies,” Byrne wrote.
Byrne’s point isn’t just about Bediako - it’s about the broader system. He questioned why some athletes with professional experience overseas are cleared to return to college basketball, while others - like Bediako, who earned a modest G League salary - face roadblocks. According to Byrne, the NCAA’s current standards are murky at best and, at worst, unfair.
“There are many programs across the country with former G League and EuroLeague players on their rosters who have been deemed eligible,” Byrne continued. “At the end of the day, these are men with professional basketball experience that are now playing in college. The distinctions between those cases and Charles’ situation are without real differences.”
He didn’t stop there. Byrne pointed out the inconsistency in how the NCAA treats players who went pro straight out of high school versus those who entered the draft after starting their college careers. If both end up wanting to return to college, why should one path be more acceptable than the other?
“A professional contract should be a professional contract,” Byrne argued. “Why should a student-athlete who earned millions competing professionally overseas be eligible to return to college, while someone earning $50,000 annually in the NBA G League is not?”
It’s a fair question - and one that Alabama’s coaching staff has clearly been thinking about for a while. Head coach Nate Oats pointed to the case of James Nnaji as a turning point. Nnaji, who was drafted in 2023 and spent three years playing professionally in Europe, was granted NCAA eligibility and recently joined Baylor’s roster.
“Charles actually sat next to James Nnaji in the draft that year,” Oats said. “Nnaji goes 31st in the draft, plays three years in Europe, gets declared eligible with four years of eligibility at Baylor.
It kind of made Charles, his camp and us both have mutual interest. Seemed like it made a lot of sense.”
That comparison was enough for Alabama to pursue a similar path. The school initially went through the NCAA, but when the request was denied, they turned to the courts. Now, with a temporary restraining order in place, Bediako is eligible - at least for the Tennessee game.
It’s possible the injunction is denied at the upcoming hearing, which would mean Bediako’s return could be limited to just one game. Alabama doesn’t play again until the night of Jan. 27, the same day as the hearing. But if the court grants a preliminary injunction, Bediako could remain eligible for the foreseeable future.
Byrne made it clear that Alabama believes it’s acting in the best interest of its student-athletes - and within the rules as they currently stand. He also emphasized that Bediako’s return doesn’t come at the expense of another player.
The roster had an open spot, and Bediako, now 23, is still within the NCAA’s five-year eligibility window. He’s also enrolled in classes again and working toward his degree.
“That said, we must remain competitive and act in the best interest of our teams,” Byrne wrote. “He’s also not taking away any opportunities from a high school prospect or anyone else with there being a vacant roster spot.”
So, Bediako is back - for now. And while his eligibility status will be decided in a courtroom, the bigger question looms: What exactly defines a college athlete in today’s era of professional pathways, NIL, and transfer flexibility?
Alabama’s hoping this case helps bring some clarity. In the meantime, they’re suiting up a familiar face for a high-stakes SEC showdown.