Alabama Center Charles Bediako Denied Eligibility for Remainder of 2025-26 Season

Tuscaloosa judge rules against Bediako's request for injunction against NCAA decision

Feb. 9, 2026 at 6:31pm

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Alabama center Charles Bediako has been denied eligibility for the remainder of the 2025-26 season after a Tuscaloosa judge ruled against his request for an injunction against the NCAA's decision to deem him ineligible. Bediako, a former G League player, had been granted a temporary restraining order that allowed him to play in five games for the Crimson Tide, but that order has now been lifted.

Why it matters

Bediako's case has sparked widespread controversy in the college basketball world due to his recent history as a professional basketball player, raising questions about the NCAA's eligibility rules and their application to players with professional experience.

The details

Bediako was deemed ineligible by the NCAA in early January, but was granted a temporary restraining order by a judge that allowed him to play in five games for Alabama. However, a different judge later denied Bediako's request for an injunction against the NCAA's decision, meaning he can no longer play for the Crimson Tide for the remainder of the season.

  • On Jan. 21, Bediako was granted a temporary restraining order by judge Jim Roberts, allowing him to play.
  • On Jan. 26, Roberts extended the TRO, allowing Bediako to play in five games for Alabama.
  • On Jan. 28, judge Daniel Pruet took over the case after Roberts recused himself.
  • On Feb. 9, Pruet denied Bediako's request for an injunction against the NCAA's decision.

The players

Charles Bediako

Alabama center who was denied eligibility for the remainder of the 2025-26 season after a judge ruled against his request for an injunction against the NCAA's decision.

Nate Oats

Alabama head coach who spoke out in support of Bediako and criticized the NCAA's eligibility rules.

Greg Sankey

SEC commissioner who filed an affidavit in opposition to Bediako's pursuit of eligibility, arguing that inconsistent application of NCAA rules would fuel disruption in college sports.

Daniel Pruet

Tuscaloosa County judge who denied Bediako's request for an injunction against the NCAA's decision.

Jim Roberts

Judge who initially granted the temporary restraining order and extension that allowed Bediako to play, but later recused himself from the case.

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What they’re saying

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

— Nate Oats, Alabama head coach

“Inconsistent application of the NCAA eligibility rules challenged in this case – through court rulings or otherwise – fuels disruption in college sports.”

— Greg Sankey, SEC commissioner

What’s next

Alabama's first game without Bediako will be Wednesday night's road game against Ole Miss.

The takeaway

Bediako's case highlights the ongoing debate around the NCAA's eligibility rules and their application to players with professional experience, raising questions about the fairness and consistency of the system.