SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is arguing against Alabama men\u2019s basketball player Charles Bediako\u2019s request for ongoing eligibility in his lawsuit against the NCAA.<\/p>\n
In an affidavit filed Thursday in the state of Alabama\u2019s Tuscaloosa Circuit Court, Sankey asked the court to uphold the NCAA\u2019s eligibility rules and deny Bediako a preliminary injunction that would allow him to continue playing. Sankey is essentially advocating against a conference member in favor of the NCAA.<\/p>\n
Bediako, who previously played for Alabama for two seasons from 2021 to 2023, has appeared in four games since Jan. 24 under a temporary restraining order<\/a>. A hearing on the preliminary injunction to determine whether he can continue playing this season is scheduled for Friday morning.<\/p>\n \u201cI respectfully ask the Court to uphold the NCAA eligibility rules challenged in this case, which are essential to the integrity of college sports, to the educational mission they serve, and to the opportunities they provide for current and future student-athletes,\u201d Sankey said.<\/p>\n Bediako, 23, previously declared for the 2023 NBA Draft after two seasons with the Crimson Tide, forgoing his remaining eligibility. He went undrafted but signed a two-way contract with an NBA team and spent most of the past three seasons competing in the G League, including as recently as Jan. 17, 2026. He never appeared in an NBA game.<\/p>\n \u201cGreg Sankey\u2019s emphasis on the need for consistent application of eligibility rules to avoid disruption in college sports is contradicted by the NCAA\u2019s own recent practices,\u201d Darren Heitner, one of Bediako\u2019s attorneys, said in a post on X<\/a>. \u201cAs evidenced by multiple eligibility grants, the NCAA has waived similar rules for former professional athletes, including Thierry Darlan, Abdullah Ahmed, James Nnaji, and Fedor Zugic. These waivers demonstrate selective enforcement, undermining Sankey\u2019s assertion that inconsistent application fuels disruption.\u201d<\/p>\n The 7-footer from Brampton, Ontario, is averaging 9.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in 21.5 minutes over four games. Alabama (15-7) plays at Auburn on Saturday and is projected to make the NCAA Tournament. The team is 2-2 since Bediako rejoined the roster.<\/p>\n Friday\u2019s hearing stands to deliver a significant decision for the NCAA in its ongoing legal challenges to its eligibility rules, particularly in college basketball. The NCAA granted eligibility<\/a> to many former G League and international players this season \u2014 including Baylor\u2019s James Nnaji, a former NBA Draft pick. Yet, unlike Bediako, none had previously played in college or signed an NBA contract, which the latter was established as a red-line distinction by NCAA president Charlie Baker.<\/p>\n \u201cThe NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract (including a two-way contract),\u201d Baker said in a statement on Dec. 30.<\/p>\n Bediako\u2019s original complaint alleged that he filed the lawsuit only after the NCAA denied the University of Alabama\u2019s request to reinstate his eligibility. It also argued that Bediako \u201cnever would have left school to pursue financial gain elsewhere\u201d had he known the amount of money he could have earned at the college level via name, image, and likeness (NIL) and direct revenue sharing from the university under the terms of the House settlement.<\/p>\n The motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction stated Bediako would \u201csuffer irreparable harm\u201d if he was not granted immediate eligibility because of the competitive, financial and educational opportunities he would miss out on. The lawsuit also argues that Bediako\u2019s case falls under the same category as other G League and international players who were granted eligibility.<\/p>\n The University of Alabama released a statement last month that it \u201csupports Charles and his ongoing efforts to be reinstated for competition while he works to complete his degree.\u201d<\/p>\n Alabama and head coach Nate Oats have drawn criticism<\/a> from other coaches, administrators and college basketball personalities for recruiting and playing Bediako, with concerns that it could spark similar eligibility efforts by other athletes and unleash chaos in college basketball<\/a> and the NBA. Amari Bailey, a former UCLA guard, was selected in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft after one season with the Bruins and played in 10 games for the Charlotte Hornets. His lawyer recently confirmed to The Athletic that Bailey is pursuing a return to college basketball<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sankey echoed those concerns in his affidavit: \u201cInconsistent application of the NCAA eligibility rules challenged in this case \u2014 through court rulings or otherwise \u2014 fuels disruption in college sports.\u201d<\/p>\n The SEC commissioner argued that granting Bediako continued eligibility would undermine the NCAA\u2019s existing rules and the schools that have committed to following them.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is also unfair to college sports programs that have operated within the existing framework for college athletics,\u201d Sankey wrote, \u201cand thus have not sought to add former professional athletes to their rosters.\u201d<\/p>\n