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Charles Bediako Appeals Eligibility Ruling to Alabama Supreme Court

The (for now) ex-Crimson Tide center is seeking to play immediately.
Charles Bediako isn’t giving up his much-publicized eligibility fight just yet.
Charles Bediako isn’t giving up his much-publicized eligibility fight just yet. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Ex-Alabama center Charles Bediako appears set on becoming current Crimson Tide center Charles Bediako once again.

Bediako is appealing his lost lawsuit against the NCAA to Alabama’s Supreme Court, according to a Monday morning report from Nick Kelly of al.com.

Crucially, Bediako—whose brief second stint of college eligibility expired on Feb. 9—is “seeking interim injunctive relief through Tuscaloosa circuit court to continue to play for Alabama” while his appeal winds its way to the state Supreme Court.

A dual American and Canadian citizen, Bediako initially suited up for the Crimson Tide from 2022 to `23. After making SEC All-Freshman in his first season, he hit his stride late in his second year, making the league’s All-Defensive and All-Tournament teams.

Turning professional, Bediako then played three seasons in the G-League before bidding to return to collegiate action in January. He successfully received a temporary restraining order against the NCAA in county court on Jan. 21, and played five games for Alabama while his case generated significant opposition from college basketball as an industry.

“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,” NCAA president Charlie Baker said after Bediako’s initial loss.


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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .