What Charles Bediako’s decision means for Alabama and future NCAA eligibility cases

Which players are eligible to play college basketball became clearer Monday.

A Tuscaloosa Circuit Court judge denied Charles BediakoThe same day, the motion for a preliminary injunction of the temporary reconversion order that had allowed the former two-way NBA player — who played three seasons in the G League but never in an official NBA game — to play for Alabama was set to expire.

Bediako, who spent two seasons with the Tide between 2021 and 2023 before going undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, played an average of 21.6 minutes in the five games he played for Alabama between January 24 and February 7. The team went 3-2 during that stretch.

So what does the ruling mean for Alabama — and for future eligibility cases like Bediako’s? ESPN men’s college basketball reporters Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf answer the most pressing questions.

What could this mean for future cases of former NBA and G League players presenting their eligibility cases to the NCAA?

Borzello: The line has always been this: Once a player keeps his name in the NBA draft, he knowingly forfeits his NCAA eligibility and is no longer able to play college basketball. This line has been directly challenged in this case, and for now, the NCAA has prevailed.

The specifics of Bediako’s situation were different from Baylor’s. James Nnaji. They were different from those of former G League players Thierry Darlan (Santa Clara) and Abdullah Ahmed (BYU). And they were different from those of the former European professionals in today’s college ranks. None of them had ever stepped foot on a college basketball court before.

There is now precedent for future court cases challenging the NCAA’s eligibility rules regarding former college players who entered the NBA draft and/or signed two-way contracts with the league. And it won’t be long before we see him tested again, with former UCLA guard Amari Bailey — who left the Bruins in 2023 and played in 10 NBA games — exploring a return to college.

Medical calf: This decision creates different categories of players trying to join the NCAA. As Jeff mentioned, the G League players who were cleared to play college basketball this season had never played college basketball before. Neither does Nnaji. The judge’s decision, which could be challenged before a higher court, establishes that any player playing in the NBA after playing college basketball is not allowed to return to college basketball.

The judge sided with the NCAA in this decision, separating participation in the NBA after college as the ultimate disqualification. This is a major decision in favor of the NCAA, and if it goes through, any G League, two-way, or NBA player who meets this criteria will be denied.

What are Alabama’s prospects without Bediako?

Borzello: With Bediako in the fold, Alabama posted close wins over Auburn and Texas A&M, a blowout win over Missouri, and two losses to Tennessee and Florida. He started two of five games, averaging 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 total blocks.

Where his departure will be felt the most is from a depth standpoint, as head coach Nate Oats has dealt with a litany of injuries all season. He must now turn to Noah Williamson as his main big man off the bench. The former Bucknell transfer has struggled all season, hasn’t scored since Jan. 10 and hasn’t played in either of the last two games. Departure center Aiden SherrellHowever, has an opportunity here: He was having a breakthrough campaign and was coincidentally playing the best basketball of his college career just before Bediako joined the program.

Medical calf: The Tide has the same problems as before Bediako’s arrival: they are not a great defensive team. During his first stint in Tuscaloosa, Bediako was a key player in one of the best defensive programs in America. Despite averaging 1.4 blocks on his second chance, the Tide ranked 106th in adjusted defensive efficiency during that five-game stretch and allowed opponents to make 54.1 percent of their shots inside the arc — one of the worst marks in the country, according to BartTorvik. And like Jeff said, their biggest concern without Bediako is simply the lack of players to put on the field in a tough SEC.

Are Alabama’s three wins with Bediako in danger of being overturned?

Borzello: Voiding wins has long been a path of punishment by the NCAA, forcing programs that played players later deemed ineligible due to NCAA violations to erase those wins and records from the annals. But in this case it seems unlikely.

The temporary restraining order that allowed Bediako to play also stated that the NCAA “is restrained from threatening, imposing, attempting to impose, suggesting or implying any penalties or sanctions” against Bediako or Alabama. And even if the order is no longer viable, the NCAA would, in essence, penalize the Crimson Tide for a judge’s decision.

NCAA President Charlie Baker did not mention the idea of ​​vacating wins in his brief statement following Monday’s decision, but he did address it in an interview with Sports Illustrated last week. “For many good reasons, people who lose in court cannot turn around and punish those who won,” Baker told SI.

How might the selection committee evaluate Alabama’s run with Bediako differently than the rest of its schedule?

Borzello: The selection committee is likely to rank Bediako’s status as it does any other player who only played part of the season due to injuries, his eligibility status, etc. When evaluating a team’s resume, the committee focuses primarily on how it has fared with the group of players it will have in the NCAA Tournament. For Alabama, this will be a team without Bediako. So yes, the wins against Auburn and Texas A&M count, and they will be on the Alabama team sheet during Selection Sunday. But when the committee compares the Tide’s resume to other teams during the rankings process, it will absolutely take into account that those wins came with a player who was no longer on the team.

Joe Lunardi: Ultimately, the whole affair will end up being overblown in terms of its impact both on and off the field. Bediako was a factor in his five games, yes, but he was no Shaquille O’Neal. The Crimson Tide went 3-2, exactly what most projections had regardless. Bediako’s additional contributions simply weren’t enough to affect Alabama’s overall numbers. Unless the team falls off the cliff, which no one expects, the committee does not need to spend much time on this topic. And, if they collapse, the Tide’s problems will be much bigger than just one player.