Charles Bediako’s return to Alabama basketball isn’t just a feel-good comeback story-it’s quickly becoming one of the most intriguing eligibility sagas in recent NCAA memory. And for now, it’s not ending anytime soon.
Thanks to a court-ordered extension of his temporary restraining order against the NCAA, Bediako will remain eligible to suit up for the Crimson Tide-at least through the next few games. The hearing that was initially scheduled for Tuesday has been delayed, after one of the NCAA's attorneys, Taylor Askew, was unable to travel due to weather complications in Tennessee.
With both sides agreeing there was “good cause” for the delay, Judge James H. Roberts Jr. granted a 10-day extension.
That pushes the next key date to either February 6 or February 9, depending on how the court interprets the order’s expiration timeline. Either way, it means Bediako is cleared to play in Alabama’s upcoming SEC matchups against Missouri (Jan.
27), Florida (Feb. 1), Texas A&M (Feb. 4), and potentially even Auburn (Feb.
7).
And if you ask Alabama head coach Nate Oats, there’s no hesitation about putting Bediako on the floor.
“I will stand by our guys every single time, no matter what the outside says, when they’ve done nothing wrong,” Oats said Monday. “Charles has done everything right. He’s eligible to play and he’s going to continue to play as long as he’s eligible to play.”
This all stems from a rare and complex eligibility case. Last week, Judge Roberts-who, notably, is listed as a donor to Alabama athletics-granted Bediako a temporary restraining order that made him immediately eligible. That allowed the 7-footer to make his long-awaited return to the court in Alabama’s game against Tennessee over the weekend.
And he didn’t waste the opportunity. In his first collegiate action in three years, Bediako logged 25 minutes, scored 13 points, grabbed three rebounds, blocked two shots, and added two steals. It was a strong performance, especially considering the layoff and the stakes.
Here’s what makes Bediako’s case so unique: after going undrafted in 2023, he signed an NBA contract and spent three seasons in the G League. He never appeared in an NBA game, but that contract is the sticking point.
Other players have returned to college after playing professionally or spending time in the G League-but none had signed an NBA deal and then come back to NCAA basketball. Bediako is the first.
The precedent that opened the door? Baylor’s James Nnaji.
Drafted 31st overall in 2023, Nnaji played professionally in Europe before the NCAA cleared him to play for Baylor this season-with four years of eligibility. That decision caught the attention of Oats and Bediako’s camp.
“Charles actually sat next to James Nnaji in the draft that year,” Oats said Friday. “Nnaji goes 31st in the draft, plays three years in Europe, gets declared eligibility, 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-if a guy that actually got drafted in the same draft as him was eligible to play for four years.
Charles is still within his five-year window. Let’s pursue it.”
But the NCAA didn’t see it that way. They denied Bediako’s reinstatement, prompting Alabama and Bediako to take legal action in pursuit of a preliminary injunction. He also re-enrolled at the University of Alabama, taking all the necessary steps to be eligible under NCAA rules-at least from the school’s perspective.
Now, the legal process continues to play out, and until a judge rules otherwise, Bediako will keep playing.
This isn’t just about one player’s eligibility-it’s about setting a precedent. The NCAA has long drawn a hard line when it comes to professional contracts and amateur eligibility, but as more players explore nontraditional paths-G League, Europe, and beyond-cases like Bediako’s are likely to become more common.
For now, Alabama gets a rim-protecting, lob-catching big man back in its rotation. And Bediako gets a second shot at college basketball, with unfinished business and a lot of eyes watching.