Former Alabama big man Charles Bediako sues NCAA in bid to rejoin team after 2 seasons in G League
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Former Alabama center Charles Bediako spent a pair of standout seasons with the Crimson Tide, helping the program reach the Sweet Sixteen in 2023. After declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft before not being selected, he signed with the G League and is currently with the Motor City Cruise.
Now, Bediako is looking to return to Alabama. Even if it involves taking legal action.
According to AL.com’s Matt Stahl, Bediako has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA. Stahl reports that Bediako is seeking “immediate preliminary and permanent injunctive relief” to allow him to play for the Tide once more.
“He should be treated similarly to other athletes who have been deemed eligible and the NCAA should be held to a standard where it cannot apply its rules arbitrarily,” NIL lawyer Darren Heitner, who is representing Bediako, told Stahl.
The trend of G League players playing collegiately started with Thierry Darlan, a native of the Central African Republic who played two years in the G League before being granted eligibility. Darlan currently plays for Santa Clara. Things took another major turn late in 2025 as James Nnaji, who was a second-round pick in the 2023 draft, signed with Baylor.
Now, Bediako, who has re-enrolled at Alabama, is seeking his own pathway back to the college hardwood.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
