Tuscaloosa circuit court judge Daniel Pruet has denied Charles Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction to allow him to continue playing basketball for the University of Alabama.
According to court documents obtained Monday by AL.com, Bediako’s attorneys argued during a hearing Friday that the NCAA enforces its rules arbitrarily. Meanwhile, the NCAA argued the distinction of Bediako matters from other former pros who’ve joined the college ranks.
“[Bediako] has failed to establish that he would suffer irreparable harm absent the issuance of the injunction,” Pruet wrote in his ruling. “Second, [the NCAA] acted with adequate justification in enforcing the rules promulgated by its membership,” Pruet wrote, as reported by AL.com's Nick Kelly. “The rules do not permit a student-athlete to participate in collegiate basketball, leave for the NBA, and return to the collegiate arena. All the evidence in the record indicates that [the NCAA] has consistently applied this specific rule.”
In January, Bediako filed a lawsuit against the NCAA after the organization denied his request to return to college basketball. Bediako had spent three seasons in the NBA’s G League after he was not selected in the NBA draft in 2023. Bediako had not played in the college ranks since 2023.
Bediako did not play in any NBA games before returning to Tuscaloosa, where he is now enrolled at UA. But he did sign an NBA contract. The NCAA has granted eligibility for former pros but not those who signed NBA contracts.
Tuscaloosa judge James H. Roberts, who has since recused from the case, granted Bediako a temporary restraining order that gave the 7-foot center immediate eligibility.
Related: Judge Who Rule Charles Bediako Could Return to Alabama Is Six-Figure Crimson Tide Booster
The temporary restraining order that had previously allowed Bediako to play for Alabama this season is no longer in place. Bediako returned to the Crimson Tide on Jan. 24 and played in five games. He averaged 10 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while playing 21.6 minutes per game as the Tide went 3-2 over that stretch.
“Common sense won a round today,” NCAA president Charlie Baker said in a statement, as reported by AL.com. “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.”
“We are disappointed in today’s court ruling, denying the injunction for Charles Bediako,” the University of Alabama said in a statement. “While we understand the concern around competitive and developmental implications of former professional athletes participating in college, it is important to acknowledge reality. The NCAA has granted eligibility to over 100 current men’s basketball players with prior professional experience in the G League or overseas. Granting eligibility to some former professionals, and not to others, is what creates the havoc we are currently in and why consistency from decision-makers is so desperately needed.”
Bryan Fischer wrote late Monday at SI.com that Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne, a member of the powerful 12-person NCAA basketball committee should be embarrassed by the Bediako saga. "His school’s actions in trying to game the system for an advantage have not only made the rest of the committee members’ job more difficult in terms of seeding the bracket this year, but likely caused many of his peers to sprout a few more gray hairs in anger and frustration all the same."
