Alabama’s Charles Bediako no longer eligible for college basketball after judge denies request

Alabama men’s basketball player Charles Bediako can no longer play college basketball, an Alabama judge ruled Monday, marking a significant victory for the NCAA and its existing eligibility rules.

Judge Daniel Pruet of the Tuscaloosa Circuit Court denied a preliminary injunction in Bediako’s lawsuit against the NCAA that prevents him from continuing to play for the Crimson Tide, overruling a temporary restraining order for immediate eligibility that was granted to Bediako last month.

Bediako, 23, previously played for Alabama from 2021 to 2023. The 7-footer from Brampton, Ontario, declared for the 2023 NBA Draft after two seasons in college, at the time 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 a game on Jan. 17. He never appeared in an NBA game.

He rejoined Alabama last month and took his case to court after the NCAA denied Alabama’s request to reinstate his eligibility.

Bediako played in five games for the Crimson Tide (16-7) after the temporary restraining order was granted on Jan. 21, averaging 10 points and 4.6 rebounds in 21.6 minutes per game. He scored 12 points off the bench in Alabama’s 96-92 rivalry win at Auburn on Saturday. The team was 3-2 when Bediako played.

Monday’s ruling, which came after a hearing on Friday, represents a considerable triumph for the NCAA, which is facing numerous challenges to its eligibility rules. A number of former G League and international players were granted eligibility by the NCAA this season — including Baylor’s James Nnaji, a former NBA Draft pick — but unlike Bediako, none had previously played in college or signed an NBA contract, the latter of which was established as a red-line distinction by NCAA president Charlie Baker.

“The 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),” Baker said in a statement on Dec. 30.

This story will be updated. More to come.