Alabama takes shot at NCAA for creating 'havoc' in light of Charles Bediako ruling

Alabama Crimson Tide big man Charles Bediako will no longer be eligible to play college basketball.

His 2025-26 season will end after he played in five games. 

Bediako was granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA that allowed him to play for Alabama despite having previously gone pro, but on Monday, a final ruling was made.

Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Daniel F. Pruet determined that when Bediako declared for the 2023 NBA Draft, he did not have a "reasonable expectation" that he could return to college basketball

That was a ruling the NCAA praised.

"Common sense won a round today," NCAA president Charlie Baker said, according to Myron Medcalf of ESPN. "The court saw this for what it is: an attempt by professionals to pivot back to college and crowd out the next generation of students. College sports are for students, not for people who already walked away to go pro and now want to hit the 'undo' button at the expense of a teenager's dream. While we're glad the court upheld the rules our members actually want, one win doesn't fix the national mess of state laws. It's time for Congress to stop watching from the sidelines and help us provide some actual stability."

Alabama, of course, felt differently. In fact, the Crimson Tide blamed this whole thing squarely on the shoulders of the very same NCAA that celebrated the judge's decision.

“The NCAA has granted eligibility to over 100 current men’s basketball players with prior professional experience in the G League or overseas. Granting eligibility to some former professionals, and not to others, is what creates the havoc we are currently in and why consistency from decision-makers is so desperately needed," Alabama said in a released statement.