Former Charles Bediako has been granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, making him immediately eligible to participate in all basketball-related activities for the Alabama Crimson Tide, including games.
According to Nick Kelly of AL.com, court documents show the restraining order will remain in effect for 10 days or until a hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction is held. That hearing is scheduled for Jan. 27. The ruling clears the way for Bediako to rejoin Alabama on the court while the legal process continues.
The timing could be significant for Alabama’s SEC schedule. The Crimson Tide have only one game before the Jan. 27 hearing, an important home matchup Saturday against the Tennessee Volunteers. Alabama is also set to play the Missouri Tigers on Jan. 27, though Bediako’s availability beyond the Tennessee game will depend on further court action.
Bediako last played college basketball in 2023 before entering the NBA draft. He went undrafted but joined the San Antonio Spurs organization for Summer League and later played in the G League with the Grand Rapids Gold and the Motor City Cruise. He also briefly held a two-way contract with the Spurs, Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons.
In a statement, the NCAA reiterated its position that players who have signed NBA contracts are not eligible to return to college competition.
Bediako was a key contributor under Alabama coach Nate Oats, helping the program reach two NCAA Tournaments and earn the No. 1 overall seed in 2023.
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