Alabama’s Charles Bediako denied in eligibility case
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After almost a month of dominating the conversation around college sports, a judge’s ruling Monday means Charles Bediako will not be eligible to play for Alabama moving forward.
Judge Daniel Pruet filed his ruling Monday at 5:07PM, denying Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction which would have allowed the center to return to play college basketball.
“As noted above the Plaintiff failed to meet the first three elements required in order for the Court to issue the preliminary injunction. See Ormco Corp. v. Johns, supra. Thus, it is not necessary for the Court to determine whether the hardship imposed by the injunction on the Defendant would unreasonably outweigh the benefit enjoyed by the Plaintiff. Nonetheless, it cannot be said that the Defendant would ‘suffer precisely zero hardship’ if the injunction were issued.
“The Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate that he is entitled to the injunctive relief that he seeks. Therefore, the Plaintiffs Motion is denied. Likewise, the Order entered on January 21, 2026, is set aside.”
Judge Daniel Pruet, court documents
Bediako played the previous five games for the Crimson Tide, thanks to a temporary restraining order (TRO) that was issued after his attorney’s filed the initial lawsuit against the NCAA.
While that TRO was in effect, Alabama went 3-2 with Bediako on the court including two wins in the last week over Texas A&M and Auburn. The former NBA G League player averaged 10 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 21.6 minutes per game.
While the NCAA considers Bediako ineligible, they have previously stated there will be no sanctions brought against Alabama after Bediako initially won the first court ruling, allowing temporary eligibility.
Timeline of events
2021-2023: Charles Bediako plays in 70 total games across two seasons with the Crimson Tide, starting 67 of them and helping Alabama earn the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
May 22, 2023: Bediako announces he will forego the remainder of his college eligibility and declares for the NBA Draft.
June 22, 2023: Bediako is not selected in the 2023 NBA Draft.
October 2023: After playing in the NBA Summer League with the San Antonio Spurs, Bediako signs an NBA two-way contract with the team.
December 2023: Bediako is waived by the Spurs after tearing his meniscus.
March 2024: Bediako signs a G-League contract with the Austin Spurs. He plays 16 total games in the G-League during the 2023-2024 season but never appears in an NBA game.
October 2024: Bediako signs an Exhibit 10 contract with the Denver Nuggets but is cut and joins G-League side Grand Rapids Gold. He plays 50 games during the 2024-25 G-League season but never appears in an NBA game.
September 15, 2025: Motor City Cruise trades for Bediako’s returning rights.
January 17, 2026: Charles Bediako plays 5 minutes for Motor City Cruise in a G-League game against the Birmingham Squadron at Legacy Arena.
January 21, 2026: A Tuscaloosa judge awards a temporary restraining order to a lawsuit filed by Bediako, allowing him to return to Alabama and be immediately eligible to play at the college level.
January 24, 2026: Bediako returns to Coleman Coliseum, playing 25 minutes in a loss to Tennessee.
January 26, 2026: The originally scheduled hearing for the case was delayed due to winter weather impacts on a national scale. Bediako has gone on to appear in three more games for Alabama.
January 28, 2026: A judge recuses himself from the case after public outcry about his close connection as a donor for the University of Alabama.
Feb. 6, 2026: A preliminary injunction hearing is held in Tuscaloosa with the NCAA and Bediako making their cases to a Judge Daniel Pruet. Both sides submitted proposed orders by 3PM but no ruling was made by 5PM Friday.
Feb. 7, 2026: Bediako plays his final game for the Crimson Tide, scoring 12 points to help Alabama beat Auburn at Neville Arena.
Feb. 9, 2026: Bediako’s injunction is denied by a Tuscaloosa judge.
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