Dick Vitale weighs in on Charles Bediako eligibility case

Legendary broadcaster says 'you can't blame a coach wanting to play him'

Feb. 1, 2026 at 1:15pm

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Legendary college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale weighed in on the controversy surrounding Alabama center Charles Bediako, who was granted a temporary restraining order allowing him to play while engaged in a legal battle with the NCAA over his eligibility.

Why it matters

The Bediako case highlights the ongoing tension between the NCAA's rules and the court system's ability to intervene, raising questions about the enforcement of amateurism policies and the rights of student-athletes.

The details

Bediako, a 7-foot center, was previously declared ineligible by the NCAA after he entered the 2023 NBA Draft and signed multiple contracts with NBA teams while playing in the G League the last three years. However, a judge granted Bediako a temporary restraining order, allowing him to play for Alabama while a new injunction hearing is scheduled for next Friday. Vitale said the NCAA will now have a chance to make its case for why Bediako's playing violates NCAA rules.

  • On Jan. 20, Bediako was granted a temporary restraining order that deemed him eligible to play.
  • Bediako's injunction hearing is rescheduled for Feb. 6 in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court.

The players

Dick Vitale

A legendary college basketball broadcaster who provided commentary on the Bediako case during a recent SEC game.

Charles Bediako

A 7-foot center for the University of Alabama who was previously declared ineligible by the NCAA but was granted a temporary restraining order allowing him to play while engaged in a legal battle.

Daniel Pruet

The newly-appointed Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge who rescheduled Bediako's injunction hearing for Feb. 6.

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What they’re saying

“The bottom line is, you have a rule book. And the rule book says, according to the rules of the NCAA, he is ineligible. However, the court system said 'No, he can play.' And you can't blame a coach when (a judge) says you can play a 7-footer, you can't blame a coach wanting to play him if they say he can play. So that's the problem.”

— Dick Vitale, College Basketball Broadcaster

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Feb. 6 whether or not to grant Bediako a temporary injunction that would allow him to finish the current season with Alabama.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between the NCAA's rules and the court system's ability to intervene, raising questions about the enforcement of amateurism policies and the rights of student-athletes. The outcome of the Feb. 6 injunction hearing will be crucial in determining Bediako's eligibility for the remainder of the season.