Alabama’s Charles Bediako no longer eligible for collegiate play after court ruling

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) - A Tuscaloosa County Court has denied Charles Bediako’s request for an injunction that would’ve allowed him to continue to play for the Alabama men’s basketball team. Beiako previously left the program for the NBA draft, and ultimately played in the G-Leauge and signed an NBA contract.

Bediako was first at UA from 2021-2023.

According to court documents, at the end of the 2023 season, Bediako left school to pursue his dream of playing in the NBA to support himself and his family.

Bediako was not selected for the 2023 NBA draft. Instead, he signed a two-year contract that allowed him to play in the NBA’s developmental G-League in San Antonio.

Bediako sued the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in an attempt to regain college eligibility when he re-enrolled at UA.

In January, a judge granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA which allowed Bediako to play for Alabama. The judge who granted the restraining order recused himself from the case in late January.

The original temporary restraining order ended up allowing Bediako to play in five games for the Crimson Tide, average 10 points and 4.6 rebounds. Alabama went 3-2 during that stretch.

Alabama Basketball Coach Nate Oats says he was confident the judge would “do the right thing” and rule Bediako eligible even after SEC commissioner Greg Sankey filed an affidavit urging the judge to rule against Bediako.

Bediako was seeking an injunction that would’ve allowed him to play the rest of the season with the Crimson Tide. Despite attempts by Bediako’s attorney’s to reschedule the injunction hearing, the hearing still occurred on Friday, Feb. 6.

Judge Daniel Pruet handed down his decision late Monday afternoon, Feb. 9, ultimately denying Bediako’s request.

Pruet says Bediako failed to meet the first three elements required in order for the court to issue the preliminary injunction.

The University of Alabama has expressed disappointment in Monday’s ruling:

NCAA President Charlie Baker shared the following statement regarding the court’s decision to deny Bediako’s injunction:

Alabama plays Ole Miss on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Oats is expected to meet with the media on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 10. WBRC has reached out to the university for a statement. This story will be updated if or when that statement is received.

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