Charles Bediako won’t be able to play against Tennessee on Saturday, or likely any Alabama games soon.
On Friday, the Alabama Supreme Court denied his emergency motion for an interim injunction to allow him to play for the Crimson Tide while his appeal plays out with the state’s highest court, per the Alabama Supreme Court docket.
The Alabama basketball center had asked the Alabama Supreme Court to make a decision by Friday on an emergency motion that would make him immediately eligible to play again, according to court documents obtained by AL.com.
“Without injunctive relief, Bediako may lose the opportunity to continue to play collegiate basketball altogether because, according to the NCAA, he has no remaining eligibility,” the Tuesday motion reads.
Bediako filed the motion the same day Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge Daniel Pruet denied Bediako a request for a similar interim injunction in which he sought to become immediately eligible to play again. Pruet was the same judge who denied Bediako a request for a preliminary injunction in early February that would have allowed Bediako to play the rest of the season for the Crimson Tide while his case plays out.
Bediako has filed an appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court after Pruet’s decision, and that decision from the state’s highest court is still pending.
Bediako played for the Crimson Tide for two seasons before turning pro. He went undrafted in 2023, signed NBA contracts, spent three years in the G League and then returned to college this season and played in five games for the Crimson Tide early this year, made possible through a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. Another judge, James Roberts, listed as a donor on the Crimson Tide Foundation website, granted the temporary restraining order before recusing himself. Then Pruet took it over and denied Bediako the injunction he sought.
Alabama +4.5 point spread is sitting at -105 on DraftKings for Saturday’s matchup versus Tennessee. With March Madness approaching, be sure to check out our guide to the best March Madness betting sites.
While this plays out in court, Bediako is playing for Team Canada as part of the FIBA basketball world cup Americas qualifiers. Bediako played 16:38 in Canada’s win over Puerto Rico on Thursday in Coliseo Roberto Clemente, Puerto Rico. He logged eight points and seven rebounds.
Prior to linking up with Team Canada, Bediako has remained with Alabama since his preliminary injunction was denied, practicing with the team, helping on scout team and continuing to go to class.
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