On February 9, 2026, a pivotal chapter in college basketball unfolded in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, as Circuit Judge Daniel Pruet denied Charles Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction, bringing an abrupt end to the 7-foot center’s second stint with the Alabama Crimson Tide. The decision, which dissolved a temporary restraining order that had allowed Bediako to suit up for Alabama amid ongoing litigation, has sent ripples through the NCAA landscape and reignited debate over eligibility rules for former professionals seeking a return to college sports.
Bediako, who last played for Alabama during the 2022-23 season, filed his lawsuit on January 20, 2026, after the NCAA determined he was ineligible to compete following his declaration for the 2023 NBA Draft and subsequent seasons in the NBA’s G League. Although he went undrafted, Bediako signed a two-way professional contract and appeared in games for the Motor City Cruise, an NBA G League affiliate. The NCAA’s refusal to reinstate his eligibility prompted Bediako to challenge the decision in court, arguing that he was being treated inconsistently compared to other former professionals who had been granted waivers to return to college basketball.
Judge Pruet’s ruling came after a February 6 hearing where attorneys for both Bediako and the NCAA laid out their respective arguments. Bediako’s legal team contended that denying him the injunction would cause irreparable harm, both financially and academically. They asserted that missing out on revenue-sharing opportunities and the collegiate experience constituted significant loss, and that the NCAA’s enforcement of its rules was arbitrary given the number of former professionals currently playing in college basketball. Alabama head coach Nate Oats echoed these sentiments, stating in January, “Charles has done nothing wrong. I will stand by our guys every single time, no matter what the outside says when they've done nothing wrong, and Charles has done everything right.”
However, Judge Pruet was not persuaded by these arguments. In his order, he wrote, “(Bediako) has failed to establish that he would suffer irreparable harm absent the issuance of the injunction.” The court found that any financial losses could be quantified and compensated through monetary damages, and there was no evidence Bediako would be unable to continue his academic pursuits without basketball eligibility. On the legal front, the judge determined that Bediako had not demonstrated a reasonable chance of success on the merits of his claims, which included alleged violations of Alabama antitrust laws and tortious interference. The court questioned whether state antitrust law even applied to conduct that occurred outside Alabama and concluded the NCAA was not a legal stranger to eligibility-related contracts.
The temporary restraining order, originally granted by Judge James H. Roberts on January 21, 2026, had allowed Bediako to rejoin the Alabama roster and play in five games. Alabama went 3-2 in those contests, with Bediako averaging 10 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 21.6 minutes per game. His official return came on January 24 against Tennessee, where he posted 13 points and three rebounds despite the team’s loss. His final appearance was in Alabama’s February 8 win over Auburn. The TRO was extended twice due to weather-related delays in the legal proceedings, but with Judge Pruet’s ruling, it expired on February 10, 2026, and Bediako was declared ineligible for the remainder of the season.
The NCAA’s position was strongly reinforced by President Charlie Baker, who issued a statement after the ruling: “Common sense won a round today. 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.”
The saga also highlighted inconsistencies in NCAA eligibility decisions. Alabama’s official statement, issued shortly after the ruling, voiced disappointment and called for greater uniformity: “While we understand the concern around competitive and developmental implications of former professional athletes participating in college, it is important to acknowledge reality. 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.”
Adding to the drama, the original judge who granted the TRO, James H. Roberts, recused himself from the case after revelations surfaced that he was an active donor to Alabama athletics. This development only intensified scrutiny of the legal process and the NCAA’s handling of similar cases nationwide. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey also weighed in, filing an affidavit in support of the NCAA’s eligibility rules and emphasizing their importance for the integrity of college sports: “I respectfully ask the Court to uphold the NCAA eligibility rules challenged in this case, which are essential to the integrity of college sports, to the educational mission they serve, and to the opportunities they provide for current and future student-athletes.”
The ruling sets a precedent for how the NCAA and its member institutions may handle future cases involving former professionals seeking a return to the college ranks. The court found that granting Bediako’s request could undermine the NCAA’s longstanding eligibility rules and open the door to similar lawsuits nationwide. Bediako’s case was notable for being the first involving a player who had signed an NBA contract, played in the G League, and then attempted to return to college basketball. While other former professionals, such as Baylor’s James Nnaji and upcoming players like Thierry Darlan and London Johnson, have navigated their own eligibility challenges, Bediako’s situation was unique in the eyes of the NCAA.
Despite the setback, Bediako will remain on scholarship at Alabama, as confirmed by Coach Oats. The Crimson Tide, holding a 16-7 record and sitting fifth in the SEC standings, must now adjust to life without their big man as they prepare for their February 12 matchup at Ole Miss and the final stretch of the regular season. The team’s NCAA tournament prospects will be evaluated based on the roster available on Selection Sunday, with Bediako’s absence looming large for both the squad and its fans.
As the legal battle over eligibility continues to play out in courtrooms and conference rooms alike, the fate of student-athletes with professional experience hangs in the balance. For now, Charles Bediako’s time on the court with Alabama has come to a close, but the broader debate over who gets to play college basketball is far from settled.