Charles Bediako is back in Tuscaloosa, and college basketball may never be the same.
The 7-footer is expected to suit up for No. 17 Alabama in Saturday’s showdown against Tennessee-just days after playing in a G League game for the Motor City Cruise.
That’s not a typo. We’re talking about a player who signed multiple NBA contracts, spent nearly three years away from the college game, and remained in the 2023 NBA Draft past the well-established withdrawal deadline.
Now, thanks to a temporary restraining order from an Alabama judge, he’s back in a Crimson Tide uniform.
And with that, the NCAA’s long-standing eligibility standards are facing one of their most significant challenges yet.
A Return That Defies Convention
Bediako last played for Alabama in the 2022-23 season, where he was a key defensive anchor, leading the team with 1.8 blocks per game. After declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft, he chose to remain in the pool beyond the NCAA’s withdrawal deadline-a move that, until now, was considered a clear forfeiture of collegiate eligibility.
Historically, the NCAA’s stance has been black-and-white: withdraw from the draft by the deadline, and you keep your eligibility. Stay in, and your college career is over. Bediako didn’t just stay in-he signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs and later inked Exhibit 10 deals, which by NCAA standards, should’ve made him ineligible to return.
But a Tuscaloosa County Circuit judge, James Roberts Jr., granted a temporary restraining order on Wednesday, clearing Bediako to play. The decision has sparked frustration across the college basketball landscape, with coaches questioning how the NCAA can maintain any semblance of consistency if this precedent holds.
The Legal Gray Area
Bediako’s legal team is leaning heavily on the NCAA’s five-year eligibility window. Since he first enrolled at Alabama in the 2021-22 season, he’s technically still within that window, which extends through the 2025-26 season. And while he’s signed NBA contracts, he hasn’t appeared in an actual NBA game.
That distinction-no NBA game action-has become the crux of the argument for his return.
“The NCAA’s arbitrary and inconsistent enforcement of its eligibility standards is inflicting immediate and irreparable harm upon him,” said Bediako’s attorney, Darren Heitner. “This harm is particularly egregious given the NCAA’s recent decisions granting eligibility to athletes with far more extensive professional experience.”
The NCAA, however, isn’t backing down. In a statement from senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt, the organization reiterated its position: “Mr.
Bediako signed three NBA contracts after competing in college for two seasons. The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract.”
That’s a clear line in the sand. But the court’s ruling-at least for now-has drawn a new one.
A Different Case Than James Nnaji
Some have tried to draw parallels between Bediako and Baylor center James Nnaji, who joined the Bears earlier this season after being selected No. 31 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. But there are key differences.
Nnaji never signed an NBA contract and had never played college basketball before this season. That means he wasn’t subject to the NCAA’s draft withdrawal deadline. Bediako, on the other hand, had two full collegiate seasons under his belt and was clearly bound by that deadline when he chose to stay in the draft.
In short: Nnaji entered the college game for the first time. Bediako is trying to re-enter it after a professional detour.
The Fallout and What’s Next
This is about more than just one player. Bediako’s case could fundamentally alter how the NCAA enforces eligibility rules moving forward. If signing an NBA contract and skipping the draft withdrawal deadline no longer disqualifies a player from returning to school, then the NCAA’s authority is in serious question.
The temporary restraining order is just that-temporary. It’s set to expire in 10 days, and a preliminary injunction will be needed if Bediako wants to keep playing beyond this weekend. But even if this is a short-lived return, the ripple effects are already being felt.
Florida head coach Todd Golden didn’t mince words: “I don’t agree with it, and I don’t think he should be playing.” Still, Golden acknowledged that Alabama head coach Nate Oats is simply doing what any coach would-taking advantage of a ruling that helps his team.
“We are going to beat them anyway,” Golden added. “If he plays, we’ll beat them anyways.”
Kentucky’s Mark Pope took a broader view, suggesting the NCAA Tournament selection committee should consider whether teams used players who weren’t deemed eligible under NCAA rules.
“They’ve been very, very clear about the rules they’re going to try to enforce,” Pope said. “They might lose in court, but they still get to decide what games count toward the NCAA Tournament.”
What Bediako Brings to Alabama-Again
From a basketball standpoint, Alabama could use Bediako’s presence in the paint. While his G League numbers-4.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 15.1 minutes per game-don’t leap off the page, his college track record speaks for itself. He’s a proven rim protector, a reliable rebounder, and a strong lob target on offense.
“He was here not that long ago,” Oats said. “And when he was here, he was an elite rim protector, very good post defender, rebounder, very good lob target.
I think his game’s continued to develop, and we’ll try to use some of the stuff he’s developed. But right now, we’re just trying to get him used to playing with the players we have.”
That familiarity with the system and the coaching staff could make his re-entry smoother than most midseason additions. And with Alabama eyeing a deep postseason run, every bit of interior help matters.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about Alabama’s rotation or Saturday’s matchup with Tennessee. It’s about the future of college basketball eligibility and whether the NCAA can still enforce its own rules in an era where legal challenges are becoming the norm.
Bediako’s return is unprecedented. Whether it becomes the new normal-or remains a one-off-will depend on what happens next in the courtroom. But one thing is clear: the lines between college and pro basketball are blurrier than ever, and the NCAA’s grip on eligibility is being tested like never before.