On Friday afternoon, the NCAA met to gain clarity on the situation regarding Alabama men’s basketball player Charles Bediako, who is returning to the Crimson Tide and is eligible to play for Nate Oats and Alabama on Saturday night against the Tennessee Volunteers.

 

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On Tuesday, Bediako filed a lawsuit against the NCAA to return to Alabama. Bediako is within his five-year window of eligibility, but has not played for the Crimson Tide since the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. Bediako declared for the 2023 NBA draft but was undrafted. He has only ever appeared in the NBA G-League, but signed a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons. Bediako was then granted a temporary restraining order restricting the NCAA from preventing him from playing in college basketball games. Nate Oats confirmed on Friday that Bediako will play on Saturday against the Tennessee Volunteers after he was ruled eligible by a Tuscaloosa Circuit Court. Bediako’s injunction hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27.

 

Friday afternoon, NCAA Vice President Dan Gavitt released a statement in the wake of Bediako’s eligibility issue:

 
“Several years ago, the NCAA membership updated rules regarding how student-athletes can gather information while making a decision on whether to enter the NBA draft or withdraw from the process to maintain their collegiate eligibility.

 

“To participate in the draft without losing eligibility, college players must request an evaluation from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee.

 

“They can also participate in the NBA Draft Combine without compromising their eligibility, and agents certified by the National Basketball Players’ Association and the NCAA can pay for meals and transportation for players and their families during the agent selection process and for meetings with pro teams. Players have until 10 days following the NBA Draft Combine (late May) to decide whether to remain in the draft or return to compete in NCAA basketball. Players who remain in the draft forfeit college eligibility.

 

“If these rules surrounding NCAA pre- and post-draft rules cannot be enforced, it would create an unstable environment for the student-athletes, schools building a roster, for the following season, and the NBA.

 

“The NCAA membership has a set of rules in place regarding the pre- and post-NBA draft eligibility that have clearly been in place and supported by all parties until these recent court challenges.”

 

Bediako’s hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27.

 

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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