Alabama Supreme Court denies Charles Bediako's request to play

Field Level Media
28 Feb 2026, 08:10 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Charles Bediako is now at one win and two losses in the Alabama court system.

The 23-year old, whose collegiate basketball career with the Crimson Tide has been on again and off again for the past two months, was denied a request to resume competition on Friday by the Alabama Supreme Court.

Bediako played two seasons for Alabama before entering the 2023 NBA Draft and going unselected. He signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs but was released before playing in an NBA game. He proceeded to play parts of three seasons in the G League.

The Brampton, Ontario, native desired to return to Alabama and won a temporary restraining order from a Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge in January that allowed him to rejoin the Tide basketball team, in a challenge to NCAA eligibility rules.

A 7-foot center, Bediako played five games (two starts) for Alabama under the restraining order and averaged 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots per game. The Tide went 3-2 in that stretch.

However, a different circuit court judge in Alabama denied Bediako's motion for a preliminary injunction to continue to play on Feb. 9, rendering him ineligible once again. The original judge, James H. Roberts Jr., recused himself because he and his wife were Alabama athletics boosters.

Bediako appealed that ruling. Earlier this week, his legal team requested 'interim injunctive relief' that would allow him to play while the appeal is heard, but the Alabama Supreme Court denied that request.

--Field Level Media

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