Alabama basketball has been lacking an inside presence this season. They found it with former center Charles Bediako. The 6-foot-11 center sued the NCAA Tuesday for additional eligibility after he declared for the 2023 NBA Draft and played two-plus seasons of professional basketball, AL.com’s Nick Kelly first reported Wednesday.
Then Wednesday, the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County granted Bediako’s request for a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. That decision gives Bediako immediate eligibility until the court hears his case and makes a permanent decision on Jan. 27.
The 23-year old Bediako is now eligible to play Saturday when the Crimson Tide host rival Tennessee in a crucial SEC matchup at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa. It is currently unclear whether the SEC will allow him to play or if Alabama head coach Nate Oats intends to play him.
Bediako spent two seasons at Alabama and was the starting center for the Crimson Tide’s 2023 SEC Championship team. A high-level rim protector, Bediako averaged 6.4 points, six rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in a season the Crimson Tide was the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
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The Canada native declared for the NBA Draft following the 2023 season but went undrafted. He’s spent the last 2.5 years in the G-League, playing in 34 games last season where he averaged 10.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
Both Tennessee and Alabama are off during the midweek ahead of Saturday’s matchup in Tuscaloosa. It’s an important game for Tennessee (12-6, 2-3 SEC) who is looking to bounce back from its home loss against Kentucky with its first true road win of the season.
Alabama has also been shaky in SEC play so far, entering the matchup 13-5 (3-2 SEC) and coming off narrow road wins over Mississippi State and Oklahoma.
The Crimson Tide boast one of the nation’s best backcourts with Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway and Latrell Wrightsell but has lacked an inside presence this season. The Crimson Tide is one of the SEC’s worst defensive rebounding teams with a number of their losses coming due to heavy losses on the backboard. Bediako will help mitigate those concerns in the short term.
Tipoff between Tennessee and Alabama is at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night. ESPN is broadcasting the game.
