A Tuscaloosa Circuit Court judge took no immediate action Friday in the NCAA eligibility case involving Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako, instead leaving the decision to rest on two competing proposed orders now under review.Attorneys for both sides submitted proposed orders outlining opposite outcomes, one that would allow Bediako to continue playing for Alabama while the case proceeds and another that would bar him from competition and dissolve the temporary restraining order currently in place.Bediako, a returning Crimson Tide center, is challenging NCAA rules that permanently bar athletes from returning to college competition after signing professional contracts. He has been playing under a temporary restraining order that allowed him to rejoin Alabama’s roster pending the outcome of the case.Friday’s hearing followed weeks of filings and public debate over Bediako’s eligibility, including an affidavit submitted by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey favoring the NCAA’s side in the case, and a personal letter from Bediako outlining his reasons for seeking a return to college basketball. Bediako’s proposed order The proposed order filed on behalf of Bediako would allow him to keep playing for Alabama while the lawsuit against the NCAA continues.It argues he has a strong case because the NCAA has treated similar players differently, allowing some athletes with professional experience, especially from international leagues, to play college basketball while blocking former college players who briefly tried to go pro.The proposal also says Bediako would be unfairly harmed if he’s forced to sit out, since a college basketball season can’t be replaced later, and lost playing time, development and postseason opportunities can’t be adequately compensated through monetary damages.If the judge adopts this order, the NCAA would not be allowed to enforce its eligibility rules against Bediako or punish Alabama for letting him play while the case is still ongoing.NCAA’s proposed order The NCAA’s proposed order would stop Bediako from playing immediately and end the temporary court order that has allowed him to return to the team.The NCAA argues Bediako has not shown that he is likely to win the case or that he would suffer permanent harm by sitting out while the lawsuit continues.The proposal also says Alabama law does not apply because the NCAA’s decision was made outside the state, and that Bediako has not provided the financial evidence needed to support his antitrust claims. The NCAA adds that it followed its rules consistently and did not interfere with any agreement between Bediako and Alabama.If the judge adopts this order, Bediako would be ruled ineligible to play while the case moves forward.What happens next The judge is expected to issue a written ruling soon, determining which proposed order, if any, will be adopted. However, no timeline has been announced for that decision.The Tide will take a trip to the Plains Saturday afternoon to take on Auburn. Ahead of the game, Alabama head coach Nate Oats said that Bediako will remain on scholarship and in school regardless of whether he is allowed to continue playing.“We’re playing like Charles is good to go,” Oats said, adding that the team’s preparation would not change.Auburn head coach Steven Pearl also weighed in on the embattled Alabama center, saying Thursday that he’s “almost rooting” for him to play this weekend.”I feel for the kid in a way, because like, what happens tomorrow if he gets denied? What does he do?” said Pearl. “I hope the decision makers in that room have thought through that.”This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. —

A Tuscaloosa Circuit Court judge took no immediate action Friday in the NCAA eligibility case involving Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako, instead leaving the decision to rest on two competing proposed orders now under review.

Attorneys for both sides submitted proposed orders outlining opposite outcomes, one that would allow Bediako to continue playing for Alabama while the case proceeds and another that would bar him from competition and dissolve the temporary restraining order currently in place.

Bediako, a returning Crimson Tide center, is challenging NCAA rules that permanently bar athletes from returning to college competition after signing professional contracts. He has been playing under a temporary restraining order that allowed him to rejoin Alabama’s roster pending the outcome of the case.

Friday’s hearing followed weeks of filings and public debate over Bediako’s eligibility, including an affidavit submitted by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey favoring the NCAA’s side in the case, and a personal letter from Bediako outlining his reasons for seeking a return to college basketball.

The proposed order filed on behalf of Bediako would allow him to keep playing for Alabama while the lawsuit against the NCAA continues.

It argues he has a strong case because the NCAA has treated similar players differently, allowing some athletes with professional experience, especially from international leagues, to play college basketball while blocking former college players who briefly tried to go pro.

The proposal also says Bediako would be unfairly harmed if he’s forced to sit out, since a college basketball season can’t be replaced later, and lost playing time, development and postseason opportunities can’t be adequately compensated through monetary damages.

If the judge adopts this order, the NCAA would not be allowed to enforce its eligibility rules against Bediako or punish Alabama for letting him play while the case is still ongoing.

The NCAA’s proposed order would stop Bediako from playing immediately and end the temporary court order that has allowed him to return to the team.

The NCAA argues Bediako has not shown that he is likely to win the case or that he would suffer permanent harm by sitting out while the lawsuit continues.

The proposal also says Alabama law does not apply because the NCAA’s decision was made outside the state, and that Bediako has not provided the financial evidence needed to support his antitrust claims. The NCAA adds that it followed its rules consistently and did not interfere with any agreement between Bediako and Alabama.

If the judge adopts this order, Bediako would be ruled ineligible to play while the case moves forward.

What happens next

The judge is expected to issue a written ruling soon, determining which proposed order, if any, will be adopted. However, no timeline has been announced for that decision.

The Tide will take a trip to the Plains Saturday afternoon to take on Auburn. Ahead of the game, Alabama head coach Nate Oats said that Bediako will remain on scholarship and in school regardless of whether he is allowed to continue playing.

“We’re playing like Charles is good to go,” Oats said, adding that the team’s preparation would not change.

Auburn head coach Steven Pearl also weighed in on the embattled Alabama center, saying Thursday that he’s “almost rooting” for him to play this weekend.

“I feel for the kid in a way, because like, what happens tomorrow if he gets denied? What does he do?” said Pearl. “I hope the decision makers in that room have thought through that.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.