Alabama basketball adding G League center with immediate eligibility, per report
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Former Alabama center Charles Bediako is back with the Crimson Tide.
On Wednesday, Bediako was granted a temporary restraining order from Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge James H. Roberts, giving him immediate eligibility to participate in all Alabama men’s basketball activities and games. The order remains in effect for 10 days or until a hearing can take place. According to a report from Al.com’s Nick Kelly, a preliminary injunction is set for Jan. 27.
Bediako has spent the 2-plus years since leaving Tuscaloosa playing in the G League. He declared for the 2023 NBA Draft but was not selected. He then signed a 2-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs, but has not yet made an official NBA appearance.
According to reports, Bediako sued the NCAA earlier this week seeking a TRO and/or a preliminary injunction. The Jan. 27 date will see a ruling made on that injunction. If it is granted, there is no set time frame for the case to be resolved, according to Kelly.
Bediako’s complaint cites other former G League players returning to college, including James Nnaji, who was the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and signed with Baylor in December.
Bediako has re-enrolled at the school.
The Crimson Tide play Tennessee at home on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Following Wednesday’s court ruling, Bediako will be eligible to play in that game. Their next game is on Jan. 27 against Mizzou at home.
Bediako, 23, averaged 10.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 34 regular-season games for the Grand Rapids Gold in the G League last season. He played 6 regular-season games for the Motor City Cruise this season. In a statement on Tuesday, the NCAA said it “has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract.” Bediako has signed multiple.
At Alabama, he started all 37 games during the 2022-23 season and averaged 6.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 20.8 minutes per game. He was part of the Crimson Tide team that swept the SEC conference titles and earned a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
