Former Alabama center Charles Bediako has been granted a temporary restraining order from immediately returning to college basketball, a judge ruled Wednesday. The decision came a day after the 2023 NBA draft pick sued the NCAA after his eligibility appeal was denied.
Judge James H. Roberts Jr. of the Tuscaloosa Circuit Court ruled that Bediako is “immediately eligible” to participate in all team activities with the Crimson Tide. The NCAA is “restraint from threatening, imposing, attempting to impose, suggesting or implying any penalty or sanction” against Bediako, Alabama, its coaches or players.
The temporary restraining order is valid for ten days. A full hearing on Bediako’s request for a preliminary injunction will take place Tuesday at 9 a.m.
The ruling came hours after NCAA President Charlie Baker reiterated that Bediako and other players who had signed NBA contracts would be ineligible. This marks the first time a player who declared for an NBA draft and signed an NBA contract after playing college basketball will have the opportunity to return to Division I basketball.
Bediako went undrafted in 2023 and signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs, but never appeared in an NBA game. He played on two NCAA tournament teams at Alabama in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, averaging 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
In his complaint, Bediako cited the eligibility of Baylor center James Nnaji, the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA draft, who was cleared to play in December despite participating in the NBA summer league and spending several years with FC Barcelona. Bediako’s complaint stated that the NCAA is biased against international players with professional experience.
“These attempts to circumvent NCAA rules and recruit individuals who have completed college or signed NBA contracts deprive high school players of opportunities,” the NCAA said in a statement Wednesday.
The case could open up opportunities for other former college basketball players who have signed two-way or full NBA contracts and want to return to college basketball. Based on the NCAA’s five-year window, Bediako can attend Alabama for the remainder of the season before his eligibility is exhausted.
In 16 G League games this season, Bediako is averaging 4.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 15.1 minutes. Bediako is represented by Daniel Green.
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