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Myron Medcalf
Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako’s college career is over again after an Alabama circuit judge denied his motion for a preliminary injunction on Monday, ending the 7-footer center’s season with the Crimson Tide.
County Circuit Court Judge Daniel F. Pruet halted Bediako’s bid to regain collegiate eligibility after he left Alabama for the NBA draft in 2023, signed a two-way NBA contract and played the last three seasons in the G League — moves that disqualified him from collegiate competition, according to the NCAA.
Pruet ruled that Bediako did not have a «reasonable expectation» that he would be allowed to return to college basketball when no other player had been granted eligibility under the same circumstances.
Bediako, who was averaging 10.0 points and 4.6 rebounds in five games with Alabama this season, was given a first-of-its-kind second chance to play college basketball last month when another judge granted him a temporary restraining order.
James Nnaji, a 2023 NBA draft pick, were deemed eligible by the NCAA this season.
But the NCAA fought Bediako’s case for fear that his renewed eligibility would open the floodgates to allow other athletes with NBA experience to return to college basketball and skirt NCAA rules.
«Common sense won a round today. 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,» NCAA president Charlie Baker said in a statement. «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. While we’re glad the court upheld the rules our members actually want, one win doesn’t fix the national mess of state laws. It’s time for Congress to stop watching from the sidelines and help us provide some actual stability.»
Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats said Friday that, regardless of the outcome of the case, Bediako will be allowed to remain on scholarship and work toward a college degree.
Alabama (16-7, 6-4 SEC), which faces Mississippi on Tuesday, did not immediately comment on the court decision. Bediako’s agent, Daniel Green, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ESPN.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
