NCAA responds to Charles Bediako’s suit for college eligibility
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The NCAA has responded to Charles Bediako’s lawsuit seeking eligibility to join the Alabama Crimson Tide immediately in the 2025-26 season.
The NCAA maintains that Bediako will not be playing any more college basketball because he has signed NBA contracts 3 times after playing 2 college seasons.
“The NCAA is aware of media reports about a lawsuit filed against the NCAA by Charles Bediako. Mr. Bediako signed three NBA contracts after competing in college for two seasons,” the statement reads. “The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract. Eligibility rules ensure high school students get a shot at earning scholarships, and we will continue to consistently apply and defend these rules.”
NCAA releases statement on the eligibility challenge of Charles Bediako pic.twitter.com/u9jAvKlOzX
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 21, 2026
Bediako’s contracts signed were 2-way deals. He has not played in the NBA, only the G League.
In controversial moves, college basketball has recently seen G League players such as London Johnson (Louisville) and Abdullah Ahmed (BYU) sign on and play in the 2025-26 season.
The NCAA’s statement does not come as a surprise. Bediako chose the lawsuit path in hopes of receiving immediate eligibility via an injunction.
Bediako is currently enrolled at Alabama, so with an injunction he could be re-joining Nate Oats’ squad soon.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
