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A potentially groundbreaking decision was made Monday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, that could change NCAA eligibility forever.
A judge denied Charles Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction that would allow him to continue playing basketball for the Alabama Crimson Tide after his return despite declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft.
So after just five games, Bediako’s season is over, according to AL.com’s Nick Kelly.
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Charles Bediako of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to play in his first college game in two years during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Coleman Coliseum on January 24, 2026 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)
“Common sense won a round today,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a statement, according to Yahoo Sports. “The court saw this for what it is: an attempt by professionals to return to college and displace the next generation of students. College sports are for students, not for people who have already walked away to become professionals 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 really want, a victory 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 real stability.”
Bediako filed a lawsuit against the NCAA to be able to return to his Crimson Tide team, where he last played during the 2022-23 season. The 7-foot center declared for the NBA Draft after that year, but was not selected in both rounds.
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Bediako ultimately spent time in the G League over the past three seasons, including six games for the Motor City Cruise this season.
However, he was granted a temporary restraining order in January, allowing him to return to Alabama to play for his former team despite the NCAA initially denying the Crimson Tide’s request to have him on the roster.
Bediako isn’t the first player who has tried to return to college after turning pro and hasn’t done well.
James Nnaji, who was actually chosen in the same draft as Bediako, surprised everyone when he committed to Baylor. Although he had not played in an NBA game, Nnaji was the first former recruit to be cleared to play in college.
Charles Bediako of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts during the second half of the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center against the San Diego State Aztecs on March 24, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
A wave of similar commitments has begun, including G League players Thierry Darlan and London Johnson heading to Santa Clara and Louisville, although it’s for next season.
Alabama head coach Nate Oats told The Athletic that Bediako will remain on the scholarship even if he is unable to play.
“Charles has done nothing wrong. I will support our guys at all times, no matter what the outside world says, when they have done nothing wrong and Charles has done everything right,” Oats told the outlet.
Meanwhile, Arkansas head coach John Calipari criticized the current state of college basketball for allowing players to return to college.
“Does anyone care what this is doing to 17- and 18-year-old Americans?” Calipari questioned in his nearly seven-minute monologue in December 2025. “Do you know what this opportunity has done for them and their families? There won’t be any high school kids. Who, other than dumb people like me, is going to recruit high school kids? I get so much satisfaction from coaching little kids and watching them grow and succeed, and their family’s life change, that I’m going to keep doing it. But why anyone else, when you can get NBA players, G-League players? Players, guys from 28 years old, guys from Europe: do we really know his academic record? Do we really know his birth certificate?
“If you put your name in the draft, I don’t care if you’re from Russia and you stay in the draft, you can’t play college basketball. ‘Well, that’s only for American kids.’ What? If your name is in that draft and you were selected, you can’t play in college because that’s our rule. ‘Yeah, but that’s only for American kids.’ Okay. Okay.”
But Alabama feels the NCAA has done it wrong considering players from other programs have been allowed to play this season despite turning pro, Nnaji being an example.
“I respectfully ask the Court to uphold the NCAA eligibility rules challenged in this case, which are essential to the integrity of college sports, to the educational mission they serve, and to the opportunities they provide to current and future student-athletes,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a four-page affidavit filed last week.
Charles Bediako of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns to the varsity field during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Coleman Coliseum on January 24, 2026 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)
The university added a statement following the court ruling, according to Yahoo Sports.
“While we understand the concern about the competitive and developmental implications of former professional athletes participating in college, it is important to recognize reality,” the statement read.
“The NCAA has granted eligibility to more than 100 current men’s basketball players with prior professional experience in the G League or overseas. Granting eligibility to some former pros and not others is what creates the chaos we currently find ourselves in and why consistency from decision makers is so desperately needed.”
The Crimson Tide finished 3-2 with Bediako back on their bench.
