Will Charles Bediako play against Auburn? Here’s what we know so far

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

The eyes of the college sports world were on a courthouse in Tuscaloosa Friday morning as the case between the NCAA and Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako moved forward.

But after both sides made their case, the judge still did not announce his ruling before the end of the day Friday, signaling Bediako could still play at least one more game for the Crimson Tide. And there’s a big one on the schedule this weekend.

Here’s what you need to know.

Will Charles Bediako play against Auburn?

The short answer is we’re not sure just yet. But it is probable as a ruling did not come down Friday afternoon. However, it is still possible the judge could rule against Bediako between now and Saturday’s 3PM tip off.

Bediako has played in four games with the Crimson Tide so far this season, playing in at least 18 minutes of each games. The center has started twice but came off the bench against Texas A&M earlier this week.

Bediako has averaged 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game while shooting 70.6% from the field and 75% from the free throw line.

Alabama is just 2-2 with Bediako on the court while fellow big man Aiden Sherrell has seen his production and usage rate go slightly down after back-to-back 20-point outings in the two games prior to Bediako’s return.

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What both sides are arguing

While Alabama coach Nate Oats may agree with the NCAA that the current eligibility system is broken, Oats has also made it clear that he wants to provide an opportunity for Bediako while it’s available. But the NCAA is hoping this case becomes a standard to fix the system moving forward.

Here’s what Oats had to say after bringing Bediako back into the program:

“So, first of all, the system’s clearly broken. And I’m all for figuring out a way to fix it. But since the NCAA’s already allowed professionals to play virtually every team we’ve played this year or will play as a former professional player on their roster, you tell me how I’m supposed to tell Charles and the team that we’re not going to support them when he’s been deemed legally eligible to play.

“So Charles is still within his 5-year window. He’s 23 years old. He’s pursuing his degree here at Alabama. We’ve got a roster spot open. So, this is not taking any opportunities away from a high school recruit or anybody else. Charles shouldn’t be punished for choosing to go the academic route out of high school rather than the professional route like the international players did.

“So again, my personal opinion on all this is we need a uniform and transparent system that doesn’t punish the Americans, that takes the hypocrisy out of it, that gives equal treatment to Americans and international players both, while also allowing high school players the opportunities they need coming out of school. So someone should be able to come up with a system that checks all those boxes. But for now, we’re going to continue to support Charles, our team, and we’re working closely with our administration, our compliance department on all this.”

Of course, Oats and the university are not officially involved in the lawsuit.

Bediako and his attorneys originally filed the complaint against the NCAA after they said he was denied a return to play college basketball. They argued Bediako “never would have left school to pursue financial gain elsewhere” if he knew about possible NIL funds and direct revenue sharing under the terms of the House settlement.

The attorneys have also pointed to other players around college basketball who have had similar paths at the professional level but remain eligible to play college basketball.

But the NCAA has stood firm in its stance in the Bediako case since the beginning.

“These attempts to sidestep NCAA rules and recruit individuals who have finished their time in college or signed NBA contracts are taking away opportunities from high school students. A judge ordering the NCAA let a former NBA player take the court Saturday against actual college student-athletes is exactly why Congress must step in and empower college sports to enforce our eligibility rules.”

NCAA statement

Earlier this week, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey sided with the NCAA, signing an affidavit to ask the court to deny Bediako’s eligibility.

“Permitting former professional athletes to return to competition creates a competitive disadvantage and fundamental unfairness for current student-athletes who have not pursued a professional sports career but instead have maintained their commitment to the collegiate athletics model, fulfilling the academic standards and participating actively in an educational community while also participating in college sports.

“It is also unfair to college sports programs that have operated within the existing framework for college athletics and thus have not sought to add former professional athletes to their rosters.”

Greg Sankey

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Timeline

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.

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