Former Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako has suffered another setback in his legal battle to return to the court, with the Alabama Supreme Court rejecting his latest appeal on Friday.
The 23-year-old center has been fighting through the court system for two months, trying to challenge NCAA eligibility rules that prevent his return to college basketball. His record now stands at one victory and two defeats in Alabama courts.
Bediako’s basketball journey has been complicated. After two seasons with the Crimson Tide, he declared for the 2023 NBA Draft but wasn’t selected. The San Antonio Spurs signed him to a two-way deal, though he was cut before appearing in any NBA games. He then spent portions of three seasons competing in the G League.
The Ontario native from Brampton wanted to return to Alabama and initially succeeded in January when a Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge granted him a temporary restraining order. This legal victory allowed him to rejoin the team despite NCAA restrictions.
During his brief return under the court order, the 7-foot center appeared in five contests, starting twice. He put up solid numbers with 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while Alabama posted a 3-2 record in those matchups.
His playing time ended abruptly on February 9 when a different circuit court judge rejected his request for a preliminary injunction to continue competing. The original judge, James H. Roberts Jr., had stepped aside from the case due to his and his wife’s status as Alabama athletics boosters.
Bediako’s legal team then filed an appeal and requested what they called “interim injunctive relief” earlier this week, hoping to get him back on the court while the appeal process continued. However, the state’s highest court turned down that request, keeping him sidelined for now.
