TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) 鈥� Alabama’s Charles Bediako had four dunks, two steals and two blocks in his first college action in nearly three years Saturday night against Tennessee.
Playing two days after and blocked the NCAA from retaliating for his return, the 7-footer finished with 13 points and three rebounds in 25 minutes in a .
Bediako said his relationship with coach Nate Oats played a key part in his decision to return.
鈥淭hat staff really trusts and believes in me and plays to my strengths,” Bediako said after the game. “Obviously when that opportunity came, it just felt right to come back.鈥�
Bediako checked into the game amid a rousing ovation with 16:11 to play in the first half and helped the 17th-ranked Crimson Tide score 26 points in the paint while building a 39-36 lead at the break. He scored on an inbounds pick-and-roll play, two alley-oop passes and a layup. His emphatic block ignited a fast break that led to a dunk.
The 23-year-old center was quieter in the second half, but he added an inside presence that Alabama had been missing all season. With starting center Aiden Sherrell in foul trouble throughout the game, Bediako logged the fourth-most minutes on the team and finished with the highest plus-minus rating at plus-10.
鈥淚 thought he was good,” Oats said. “Thought he meshed well with our guys early. For a guy that’s been here a few days, to fit in with the team, I thought he was good. He鈥檚 got to get a few more rebounds for us. He knows that. He鈥檚 a great teammate. He鈥檚 gonna help us moving forward.鈥�
Bediako entered the NBA draft in 2023, but he was not selected. He has signed several NBA developmental contracts since, including playing for the Motor City Cruise in the NBA鈥檚 G League as recently as last week.
Bediako spent two seasons (2021-23) at Alabama, averaging 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, and helped the Crimson Tide make the NCAA Tournament twice. He sued the NCAA earlier this week in hopes of having his college eligibility reinstated.
The NCAA denied Alabama鈥檚 initial petition and has repeated its objection to Bediako’s return. Fellow coaches also have expressed concern about how the situation has played out.
James H. Roberts Jr. of the Tuscaloosa Circuit Court granted Bediako a temporary restraining order Thursday and said he is 鈥渋mmediately eligible鈥� to participate in all team activities. Roberts also ruled the NCAA is 鈥渞estrained from threatening, imposing, attempting to impose, suggesting or implying any penalties or sanctions鈥� against Bediako, the Crimson Tide or its coaches and players.
鈥淭his last week has been all right,鈥� Bediako said. 鈥淢e and coach Oats have had a great relationship even when I left. Last week, it was the same thing, just checking in on me. Everyone’s been so welcoming since I’ve been back.鈥�
The temporary order is valid for 10 days. A full hearing on Bediako鈥檚 request for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for Tuesday, although the case could end up getting moved to federal court. Alabama’s next game is on Tuesday night against Missouri at home.
Bediako is the first player with collegiate experience to sign an NBA contract and get the chance to return to college basketball. The court case could alter the framework of college basketball and the NBA draft and perhaps open the door for more players with NBA experience to pursue another stint in college.
Bediako said it has been all 鈥減ositive vibes鈥� since he returned to the team this week, even though he’s still getting to know his teammates.
鈥淩ight now, I’m just focused on the team,鈥� Bediako said. 鈥淥bviously I’ll dissect what happened today, but right now my main focus is this next game and getting focused with the team.鈥�
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