Charles Bediako is once again attempting to return to play for Alabama. According to AL.com, the former Crimson Tide center filed an appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court on Monday, two weeks after a Tuscaloosa County circuit court judge denied Bediako’s motion seeking a preliminary injunction against NCAA eligibility rules.
While Bediako’s appeal is pending, he’s seeking interim injunctive relief that would allow him to play immediately. Judge Daniel Pruet, who ruled on Bediako’s initial injunction request, denied that temporary relief on Tuesday. The next step for Bediako and his representation is to make the same request to the Alabama Supreme Court in search of a different outcome.
The appeal motion states that interim relief is critical as the appeal is unlikely to be resolved before the end of the college basketball season. Without interim relief paving the way for Bediako to play again this year, the appeal request will become moot.
“The request is to put an injunction in place while the Alabama Supreme Court considers the substance of our argument as to why we believe the Circuit Court’s order was incorrect,” David Holt, one of Bediako’s attorneys, told ESPN.
Bediako has remained a student at Alabama and helped with the scout team, per coach Nate Oats. Alabama’s next game is Wednesday vs. Mississippi State.
“We understand that Charles is pursuing an appeal in his case against the NCAA, and ultimately, he must do what he considers to be in his best interest,” the University of Alabama stated in a statement. “The University continues to support Charles as he works toward completing his degree.”
It’s the just in twist in what’s been quite the saga for Bediako, the NCAA and eligibility rules.
Bediako played for Alabama in 2021-22 and 2022-23 before forgoing the rest of his eligibility and entering the NBA Draft pool. Though he did not get drafted, he signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs. He never appeared in an NBA game but did play for the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League. He also appeared in G League games for the Grand Rapids Gold and the Motor City Cruise on Exhibit 10 contracts.
Charles Bediako ineligible after judge’s ruling: Why 7-footer’s journey from G League back to Alabama is over
Matt Norlander
In late January 2026, Bediako filed suit against the NCAA, requesting “immediate preliminary and permanent injunctive relief.” Because Bediako enrolled in Alabama in 2021, he was — and is still — within his five-year eligibility clock. Tuscaloosa County judge James Roberts granted Beidako a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, paving the way for him to return to the Crimson Tide. After it was later discovered Roberts is an Alabama donor; he recused himself from the case.
Under the order, Bediako played in five games with Alabama from Jan. 24 to Feb. 7, averaging 10 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 77%.
On Feb. 9, Alabama circuit court judge Daniel Pruet denied Bediako’s motion seeking a preliminary injunction against NCAA eligibility rules. The aim of the preliminary injunction had been to allow Bediako to play for the rest of the season.
“Common sense won a round today,” NCAA president Charlie Baker stated in a statement. “The court saw this for what it is: an attempt by professionals to pivot back to college and crowd out the next generation of students. College sports are for students, not for people who already walked away to go pro and now want to hit the ‘undo’ button at the expense of a teenager’s dream.
“While we’re glad the court upheld the rules our members actually want, one win doesn’t fix the national mess of state laws. It’s time for Congress to stop watching from the sidelines and help us provide some actual stability.”
Bediako’s return to college basketball after signing multiple NBA contracts had caused significant consternation among NCAA higher-ups, with even SEC commissioner Greg Sankey signing an affidavit against Bediako’s cause.
