In a significant turn of events, a judge has provisionally allowed former Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako to return to the team after he entered the 2023 NBA Draft. This ruling, made by Judge James H. Roberts Jr. in the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court, means that Bediako can immediately participate in practices and games with the Crimson Tide. The decision came on Wednesday, just a day after Bediako filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking reinstatement to his college team for the remainder of the season.
The judge's temporary restraining order will remain effective for ten days, with a hearing on Bediako’s request for a preliminary injunction scheduled for January 27. In his court filing, Bediako, who stands at 7 feet tall and hails from Brampton, Ontario, requested this order to ensure he could resume play under NCAA eligibility standards. He had previously played for Alabama for two seasons, from 2021 to 2023, where he averaged 6.6 points and 5.2 rebounds over 70 games. After declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft—despite still having two years of eligibility left—Bediako went undrafted and subsequently signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs. However, he has not seen any action in an NBA game thus far, playing instead for various G League teams, most recently in December 2025.
If Bediako does take the court for Alabama, it would set a modern precedent as he could be the first college basketball player to return to the sport after opting out to pursue an NBA career—similar to how Larry Bird returned to Indiana State after being drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1978.
This scenario adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debates surrounding player eligibility in college sports. Bediako's legal action follows a trend of former G League players and international professionals rejoining collegiate basketball this season, such as James Nnaji, a 2023 draft pick who participated in the NBA Summer League and was recently awarded four years of college eligibility at Baylor.
The NCAA has categorized signing an NBA contract, including two-way agreements, as a critical factor in determining eligibility. The lawsuit states that Bediako only pursued legal recourse after the NCAA denied the University of Alabama’s appeal to reinstate his eligibility. The university expressed its support for Bediako’s efforts to return as he continues his academic pursuits.
On the same day, the NCAA called for governmental intervention to reinforce its eligibility regulations, arguing that recent moves to bypass these rules undermine opportunities for high school athletes. The organization emphasized that a judicial order enabling a former NBA player to compete against current college athletes underscores the need for Congressional action to maintain the integrity of college sports.
Alabama’s next game is against Tennessee on Saturday, though the school has not confirmed whether Bediako will participate. Additionally, the NCAA has consistently stated that it will not grant eligibility to any athlete who has signed an NBA contract of any kind.
In his motion, Bediako claimed that not being reinstated by the NCAA would result in "irreparable harm" due to missed competitive, financial, and educational opportunities. According to the complaint, he is currently enrolled at the University of Alabama, and this semester represents the last chance he has to compete under existing eligibility rules due to the five-year limit that began in 2021.
The complaint further highlighted that had Bediako known he could earn compensation while remaining a student-athlete, he might not have opted to leave school for professional prospects. The situation surrounding Nnaji has raised eyebrows as well, considering he was previously drafted but has been granted eligibility because he never actually played in the NBA or signed a contract.
Bediako’s representatives contend that the NCAA’s stance on eligibility is inconsistent, arguing that there is no logical basis for treating different groups of athletes distinctly. They assert that the NCAA has unjustly decided who can transition between professional and collegiate play.
Wednesday's ruling also prohibits the NCAA from imposing any penalties on Bediako or the University of Alabama should he participate in games. Bediako’s case reflects the confusion and debate surrounding eligibility in college athletics, prompting notable figures in the sport, like Arkansas coach John Calipari, to advocate for collective bargaining as a solution to these ongoing issues.
