Charles Bediako has been granted a temporary restraining order allowing him to return to college basketball immediately, following a ruling Wednesday by a Tuscaloosa judge.
The decision came one day after Bediako sued the NCAA over the denial of his eligibility appeal.
Judge James H. Roberts Jr. ruled that Bediako “is immediately eligible” to take part in all activities with the Alabama Crimson Tide and barred the NCAA from “threatening, imposing, attempting to impose, suggesting or implying any penalties or sanctions” against Bediako, the program, or its staff.
The order is valid for 10 days, with a full hearing on a preliminary injunction scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m.
The ruling came shortly after NCAA president Charlie Baker reiterated that players who signed NBA contracts would not be granted eligibility, making this the first known case of a former NBA contract signee being cleared to return to Division I basketball.
Bediako went undrafted in 2023 and signed a two-way deal with the San Antonio Spurs, though he never played an NBA game.
He previously appeared in two NCAA tournaments at Alabama, averaging 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game.
In his complaint, Bediako cited the case of James Nnaji, a former Baylor Bears center who was allowed to return to college despite professional experience overseas.
The NCAA responded by stating that such cases “are taking away opportunities from high school students.”
The decision could have wider implications for former college players seeking to return after signing NBA contracts.
Bediako, who is averaging 4.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 16 G League games this season, remains eligible to play the rest of the year under the NCAA’s five-year window.
Judge Rules Former Spurs Two-Way Center Charles Bediako Eligible For Alabama https://t.co/ron1RiOpTR
— RealGM (@RealGM) January 21, 2026
