Bediako was immediately cleared to return to Alabama last week even though he left school early to declare for the 2023 NBA Draft, signed a two-way contract with an NBA team and spent most of the past three seasons in the G League. Bediako, 23, previously played for Alabama from 2021 to 2023.
Judge James H. Roberts Jr. in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court granted Bediako a temporary restraining order allowing him to play for the Crimson Tide a day after Bediako filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, and after the NCAA denied Alabama’s initial request to reinstate Bediako’s eligibility. The 7-footer played 25 minutes and scored 13 points in Saturday’s 79-73 loss to Tennessee. AL.com and other media outlets later reported that Roberts is listed on The Crimson Tide Foundation website as an athletics donor to the University of Alabama, and that he and his wife are recognized for lifetime contributions between $100,000 and $249,999.
The NCAA’s legal representatives filed a motion to recuse on Monday, arguing that “intense media attention and public speculation surrounding (the judge’s) relationship with the University of Alabama” could create the “appearance of bias.”
The motion cited numerous articles and media reports noting Roberts’ relationship with the university, including reports that his wife, Mary Turner Roberts, was a lawyer for former Alabama player (and Bediako teammate) Darius Miles, who will stand trial for capital murder stemming from a shooting in 2023. The motion also referenced comments from fans on Reddit, questioning the judge’s impartiality.
“The public reaction to the case shows that refusal here is justified,” the motion reads. “Despite the NCAA’s confidence that the (judge) can disregard his connections to the University of Alabama and its athletics programs, recusal is still necessary to protect these proceedings from the appearance of impropriety.”
The decision to make Bediako eligible — and Alabama’s support of the process — sparked new controversy over the ongoing eligibility debate in college basketball. Roberts also extended Bediako’s temporary restraining order for another 10 days on Monday because a preliminary preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday had to be postponed due to bad weather. An official date for the rescheduled hearing has not yet been set.
Bediako is eligible to play for Alabama under the extended order. The No. 23 Crimson Tide are 13-6 and 3-3 in SEC play.
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