Charles Bediako’s journey through the basketball ranks has been anything but conventional-and now, it’s taken a dramatic turn that could reshape the way we think about eligibility in college hoops.
The 23-year-old center is currently suiting up for the Motor City Cruise in the G League, logging his third season as a pro. But after a recent court ruling, Bediako could be on the verge of doing something we rarely-if ever-see: going back to college ball after playing professionally.
Let’s break it down.
Earlier today, a judge granted Bediako a temporary restraining order that, for now, clears the way for him to return to the University of Alabama, where he played his college ball before entering the 2023 NBA Draft. That draft didn’t go his way-he went undrafted-and since then, he’s bounced around the G League. First with the Austin Spurs, then the Grand Rapids Gold, and now with the Cruise.
This season in Detroit, Bediako is averaging 5.2 points and 5.1 boards in just under 15 minutes a night. He’s carved out a role, but it’s limited. And that’s the heart of the issue here-he’s a professional player looking for more opportunity, and he sees it back in the college ranks.
But not everyone’s on board.
The NCAA pushed back hard today, releasing a statement that made it clear they view this as a serious threat to the integrity of collegiate sports. Their argument? Allowing a former pro to rejoin the college game takes away spots from high school athletes and undermines the rules that are supposed to separate amateur and professional competition.
In their words: “A judge ordering the NCAA let a former NBA player take the court Saturday against actual college student-athletes is exactly why Congress must step in and empower college sports to enforce our eligibility rules.”
Strong words-and a clear sign that this legal battle is far from over.
From Alabama’s perspective, though, this is a potential game-changer. The Crimson Tide are heading into SEC play and eyeing a deep run in March.
Adding a 7-footer with G League experience to the rotation? That’s a boost any coach would welcome, especially one who already knows the system and the program.
Technically, Bediako still has two years of college eligibility remaining. But the fact that he’s been a paid professional for nearly three seasons complicates everything. This isn’t a case of a player testing the draft waters and coming back-he’s been in the G League grind, earning checks and playing against grown men.
Now, he’s trying to return to a level where the competition includes 18- and 19-year-olds just getting their feet wet.
This situation is murky, no doubt. It raises big questions about the future of eligibility rules, the blurred lines between amateur and pro status in the NIL era, and how schools might try to use legal workarounds to bring talent back into the fold.
For now, Bediako’s future hangs in the balance. He’s still on the Cruise roster, but Alabama is ready to welcome him back.
The NCAA is digging in. And the rest of the basketball world is watching closely, because what happens next could set a precedent that ripples across both college and pro hoops.
This isn’t just about one player. It’s about the evolving identity of the game itself.