Charles Bediako is officially back in the college basketball spotlight-at least for now.
The former Alabama big man, who went pro after the 2023 NBA Draft and has since signed three NBA contracts, has been granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. The ruling, issued by Tuscaloosa County judge James Roberts, makes Bediako immediately eligible to suit up for the Crimson Tide once again.
Yes, you read that right-Bediako, currently a professional player with the Motor City Cruise in the NBA G League, is now eligible to return to Alabama basketball with one semester of eligibility still on the table. It’s a rare and unexpected twist in the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics, where eligibility battles and legal maneuvers are becoming as much a part of the game as the action on the court.
For Alabama, this is a potentially significant midseason addition. Bediako was a key piece for the Tide during his previous stint, anchoring the paint with his length, rim protection, and rebounding presence. At 7 feet tall with a 7'3" wingspan, he brings the kind of interior defense and vertical spacing that can immediately shift a team’s ceiling-especially in the grind of SEC play.
While the legal process is still unfolding, and this temporary restraining order doesn’t necessarily guarantee long-term eligibility, it does clear the runway for Bediako to make an impact right away. And for a program with postseason aspirations, that’s a big deal. Alabama now has the chance to integrate a high-level rim protector and experienced post presence into its rotation without waiting for a lengthy ruling from the NCAA.
What happens next remains to be seen, but for now, the Tide just got a major boost-and Bediako gets another shot to make his mark in Tuscaloosa.