Charles Bediako’s attorney 'deeply disappointed' by NCAA's court win originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Charles Bediako’s attorney released a statement Monday after a Tuscaloosa judge denied a request that would have allowed the former Alabama center to continue playing college basketball.
The ruling rejected Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction against NCAA eligibility rules, effectively ending his bid to return to the court for the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team this season. One of Bediako’s attorneys, Darren Heitner, criticized the decision and suggested the legal fight is not over.
“Deeply disappointed in the Tuscaloosa court’s denial of Charles Bediako’s request for an injunction against the NCAA,” Heitner said in a statement on X. “This ruling ignored that an athlete’s NIL value is directly tied to his ability to play, overlooks that NCAA rules do not distinguish between athletes with prior college experience and those without, and contrasts with eligibility grants to many other former pros. We fight on for fairness.”
Bediako, a 7-foot center, spent the last two and a half seasons in the NBA G League after entering the 2023 NBA draft. He originally played two seasons at Alabama before leaving the program.
Alabama coach Nate Oats also expressed disappointment with the ruling, echoing concerns about inconsistencies in NCAA eligibility decisions. He noted that more than 100 current college players with prior professional experience remain eligible, including players whose NBA draft rights are owned by teams.
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Bediako initially returned to action in January after being granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. During that window, he appeared in five games, averaging 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds while helping Alabama post a 3-2 record.
The ruling closes the door on Bediako’s on-court return, though his legal challenge is expected to continue.
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