A Tuscaloosa judge has denied Alabama center Charles Bediako‘s motion for a preliminary injunction to allow him to continue playing for the Crimson Tide this season, according to court documents obtained by ESPN.
“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 Monday. “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.”
Baker went on to say that while the judge’s ruling marked one legal win, it “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.”
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Attorneys for Bediako and the NCAA argued their cases Friday. Bediako sued college basketball’s sanctioning body in an effort to regain eligibility despite leaving Alabama for the NBA draft in 2023, signing a two-way NBA contract and playing the past three seasons in the developmental G League.
Bediako spent two seasons (2021-23) at Alabama, averaging 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, and helped the Crimson Tide make the NCAA tournament twice. He wasn’t selected in the 2023 draft, but he played for the Motor City Cruise in the NBA’s G League as recently as mid-January.
His lawyers argued that Bediako remains within his five-year college eligibility window. The NCAA denied Alabama’s initial petition, and Baker and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey made it clear they opposed Bediako’s reinstatement.
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.
Bediako is averaging 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in five games. Alabama is 3-2 in those games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.