Charles Bediako played two seasons for the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball program before entering the 2023 NBA Draft.
The 7-footer, who went undrafted, signed a two-way NBA contract and spent the last few years competing in the G League, featuring for the Austin Spurs, Grand Rapids Gold and Motor City Cruise, most recently playing on Jan. 17.
Bediako never logged a minute in the NBA, and last month, he rejoined the Crimson Tide and appeared in five games under a temporary restraining order that allowed him to bypass an NCAA eligibility denial.
The former Crimson Tide standout's return to Alabama reignited debates about professional athletes reentering the college system, with his case going to a local court, leading to a final decision announced on Monday.
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The court battle came to an end when Alabama Judge Daniel Pruet denied Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction. The decision nullifies the restraining order and blocks Bediako from continuing his college basketball season.
“The Plaintiff’s playing professional basketball in the G League as recently as last month indicates that the case is not about whether Plaintiff can be paid to play basketball, but for whom,” Pruet wrote. “The Plaintiff also asserted that he would suffer irreparable harm by missing out on the ‘college experience.’ There is no proof in the record that, but for an athletic scholarship, the Plaintiff cannot afford to attend college.”
Alabama responded to the ruling with a statement criticizing the NCAA’s inconsistent eligibility practices.
“We are disappointed in today’s court ruling, denying the injunction for Charles Bediako,” the statement said. “While we understand the concern around competitive and developmental implications of former professional athletes participating in college, it is important to acknowledge reality.”
Added the statement: “The NCAA has granted eligibility to over 100 current men’s basketball players with prior professional experience in the G League or overseas. Granting eligibility to some former professionals, and not to others, is what creates the havoc we are currently in and why consistency from decision-makers is so desperately needed.”
Bediako averaged 10 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across his five appearances with the Crimson Tide. Alabama went 3–2 during that span, with the last game a 96-92 win to Auburn, where Bediako scored 12 points on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting outing off the bench.
NCAA president Charlie Baker praised the ruling, calling Bediako’s return attempt a case of professionals trying to “crowd out the next generation.”
“Common sense won a round today,” Baker said. “The court saw this for what it is: an attempt by professionals to pivot back to college and crowd out the next generation of students. College sports are for students, not for people who already walked away to go pro and now want to hit the ‘undo’ button at the expense of a teenager’s dream.”
The Crimson Tide (16–8) next faces Ole Miss on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. ET.