Charles Bediako’s return to Alabama basketball has officially come to an end-for now. A Tuscaloosa County circuit judge, Daniel Pruet, denied Bediako’s request for a preliminary injunction against the NCAA, effectively reinstating his ineligible status and cutting short his second stint with the Crimson Tide.
Bediako had briefly rejoined Alabama’s active roster under a temporary restraining order that allowed him to suit up for five games. But with Monday’s ruling, that window has closed, and Alabama loses a key frontcourt presence just as the SEC schedule heats up.
Let’s rewind a bit: Bediako played two seasons at Alabama before declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft. He went undrafted but landed a two-way deal with the San Antonio Spurs. Since then, he’s spent the past two and a half years in the G League, bouncing between the Spurs, Nuggets, and Pistons organizations, without logging any NBA minutes.
Then came the twist-Bediako, still within the NCAA’s five-year eligibility window, enrolled back at Alabama and sought to return to college basketball. A different Tuscaloosa judge granted a temporary restraining order that allowed him to play while awaiting a hearing on a preliminary injunction. That hearing was delayed due to weather and finally took place last Friday, with the decision arriving Monday evening.
In his five-game stretch, Bediako made an immediate impact. He started two games, averaging 10 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in just over 21 minutes per contest.
His return debut came against Tennessee, where he dropped 13 points, grabbed three boards, and swatted two shots. Alabama went 3-2 in those games, and Bediako gave them a physical, rim-protecting presence they’d been missing.
Head coach Nate Oats didn’t mince words when defending Bediako’s eligibility. He pointed to NCAA precedent allowing international professionals to compete in college basketball, arguing that Bediako-a dual American-Canadian citizen-was being held to a different standard.
“You tell me how I’m supposed to tell Charles and the team that we’re not going to support him when he’s been deemed legally eligible to play,” Oats said. “Charles is still within his five-year window.
He’s 23 years old. He’s pursuing his degree here at Alabama.
We’ve got a roster spot open, so this isn’t taking an opportunity away from a high school recruit or anyone else.”
Oats stood firmly behind his player, emphasizing that they were following the court’s orders at the time. But Judge Pruet’s ruling leaned heavily on NCAA precedent, stating that the organization hasn’t been inconsistent in its enforcement.
His reasoning? No player has ever left college, turned pro, and then returned to NCAA competition.
In that light, Bediako’s case wasn’t about international versus domestic-it was about drawing a hard line between amateur and professional status.
Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes echoed that sentiment before facing Alabama last month.
“To me, it’s simple,” Barnes said. “Everybody comes to college and they have college eligibility.
When you make the choice to give up your college eligibility, you’ve given it up. Once they start that clock and make that choice, they’ve made that choice.”
Tennessee got the better of Alabama in that matchup, winning 79-73 in Tuscaloosa. The two programs will meet again on February 28 in Knoxville, with the Vols riding a five-game win streak in the series. As of now, both teams sit at 16-7 overall and 6-4 in SEC play-locked in a tight race for conference positioning.
For Alabama, Bediako’s absence will be felt. He brought size, experience, and a defensive presence that’s hard to replicate midseason. Whether or not this saga is truly over remains to be seen, but for now, the Crimson Tide have to regroup without their returning big man.