Charles Bediako Cleared to Play for Alabama Amid Legal Limbo - and Florida’s Ready for the Challenge
In a twist that’s become all too familiar in the evolving world of college basketball eligibility, Alabama center Charles Bediako will suit up against No. 19 Florida - thanks, in part, to a weather delay that’s affected much of the country.
Bediako, who’s back with the Crimson Tide after a stint in the G League, remains in legal limbo with the NCAA over his eligibility. But a temporary restraining order (TRO) initially granted to him has been extended, allowing him to remain active with the team.
The extension came after NCAA attorney Taylor Askew couldn’t attend a scheduled hearing due to weather-related travel issues. That delay bought Bediako another 10 days, keeping him eligible for key matchups against Missouri and now Florida.
Let’s be clear - this isn’t just a paperwork shuffle. Bediako’s presence on the court changes things.
He’s a 6-foot-11 rim protector with a pro-ready frame, averaging 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds since returning to Alabama. He’s not just filling space in the paint - he’s impacting games.
He dropped 13 points in a tight loss to Tennessee and followed that with 14 in a dominant win over Missouri.
But Florida isn’t flinching.
Head coach Todd Golden has made it clear that the Gators are preparing to win - with or without Bediako in the lineup. His comments from last month, where he said, “Regardless of who they have on the floor, we’re going to compete and win the ball game,” have made the rounds, sparking plenty of pregame buzz. On Friday, Golden doubled down on that mindset.
“I’ve thought about it - is this a good thing to say or a bad thing to say?” Golden said.
“But honestly, it’d be a pretty unconfident place to be if one guy changes everything for you. We’re not wired like that.”
That confidence runs through the Gators’ locker room, too. Forward Thomas Haugh didn’t hold back when asked about Bediako’s situation.
“It’s definitely not right,” Haugh said. “This dude literally was at college, left, and then came back.
But I don’t know. We’ll play them with or without him.
It doesn’t matter.”
Whether or not it’s “right,” Bediako’s case is part of a much bigger conversation in college hoops. The NCAA continues to wrestle with how to handle players who test the professional waters - or in Bediako’s case, spend multiple seasons in the G League - and then seek a return to the college game. His lawsuit against the NCAA is one of several legal challenges that could shape the future of eligibility rules.
To understand how we got here, you have to go back to 2021, when Bediako first joined Alabama. He played two seasons in Tuscaloosa before declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft.
After going undrafted, he signed a two-way deal with the San Antonio Spurs and spent the last three seasons in the G League. When he moved to return to Alabama, the NCAA initially denied his eligibility, prompting the legal battle that’s still playing out.
The TRO was first granted by Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Jim Roberts and was set to expire after 10 days. A hearing for a preliminary injunction was scheduled for Tuesday, but severe weather forced a postponement and triggered a 10-day extension. A new date for the hearing hasn’t been announced.
What This Means for Florida
Bediako’s return adds another layer to an already intriguing SEC matchup. He’ll be going head-to-head with one of the top defensive bigs in the country in Rueben Chinyelu.
The Florida center has been a force this season, averaging 12 points and 11 rebounds per game and stacking up 12 double-doubles. He’s also landed on the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year watch list.
“There’s going to be a lot of storylines around this game,” Golden said. “But for Rube, every game is an opportunity. I thought he was really good again on Wednesday.”
Florida’s frontcourt dominance isn’t just about Chinyelu, though. The Gators lead all of Division I in total rebounds per game (46) and offensive boards (16). That kind of glass work sets the tone, especially in physical SEC matchups like this one.
So yes, Bediako will be on the floor. Yes, the legal battle is still unfolding.
But when the ball tips in Gainesville, it won’t be about courtrooms or weather delays. It’ll be about two teams with big-time frontcourts, battling for SEC positioning - and neither side is backing down.