Earlier on Tuesday, it was reported that former Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako is suing the NCAA, asking for immediate preliminary and permanent injunctive relief that would allow him to return to the Crimson Tide men’s basketball team. Bediako filed the request with the Tuscaloosa Circuit Court on Tuesday.
“Had Mr. Bediako had more foresight to see the paradigm-shifting changes coming to compensation for NCAA athletes, he likely would still be on campus playing for the University of Alabama right now,” Bediako’s complaint read. “When the NCAA recently began to reinstate players with G League experience, and even players who had entered and been selected in the NBA Draft, Mr. Bediako saw this as a chance to right a wrong decision that he had regretted over the past three years.”
The NCAA has released a statement on Bediako’s lawsuit following reports earlier on Tuesday:
“The NCAA is aware of media reports about a lawsuit filed against the NCAA by Charles Bediako. Mr. Bediako signed three NBA contracts after competing in college for two seasons.
“The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract. Eligibility rules ensure high school students get a shot at earning scholarships, and we will continue to consistently apply and defend these rules.”
Bediako and his team are requesting an immediate order to stop the NCAA from keeping him out of games. He, theoretically, would still have collegiate eligibility left after only spending two seasons in Tuscaloosa before declaring for the 2023 NBA draft, when he went undrafted and signed with the NBA G-League. Bediako has not appeared in an NBA game since he departed from Alabama.
Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men’s basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.
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