No decision from an Alabama circuit judge on Friday meant that Alabama center Charles Bediako was available to play on Saturday against Auburn.
And that meant Bediako was an easy target for the hostile Auburn crowd to pick on. They did not disappoint.
When Bediako stepped to the free throw line early in the second half, Auburn fans serenaded him with a “G League drop-out” chant. Bediako returned to Alabama last month after appearing in 46 G League games over the last 3 years.
Bediako is suing the NCAA to regain eligibility after he left Alabama early in 2023 to enter the NBA Draft. He went undrafted and signed several G League deals, but never appeared in the NBA.
He played in 34 G League games for Grand Rapids Gold during the 2024-25 season, starting all of them while averaging 10.4 points and 9.4 rebounds. He played 6 games this season for Motor City Cruise, averaging 15.7 minutes a night off the bench.
Bediako was granted a temporary restraining order last month that has allowed him to appear in 5 games so far for the Crimson Tide. He started games against Mizzou and Florida but came off the bench on Saturday.
In Alabama’s 96-92 win over the Tigers, Bediako hit all 5 of his shots and 2 of his 3 free throws to finish with 12 points. He also had 3 boards and a steal.
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.
