Saturday’s game in Coleman Coliseum became the first of its kind — a former NBA G-League player returning to the college ranks after three seasons. This happened when center Charles Bediako returned for the Crimson Tide’s loss to Tennessee.
The 23-year-old spent two seasons in Tuscaloosa as a member of the Crimson Tide men’s basketball team before declaring for and entering the 2023 NBA Draft.
After going undrafted, Bediako signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs, appearing in five games with the franchise’s G-League affiliate Austin Spurs. In 2024, Bediako shifted G-League squads, joining the Grand Rapids Gold, where he started all 34 games he played in.
Starting the 2025-26 season with the Motor City Cruise, Bediako saw a decreased role, playing in just six games and averaging just 4.3 points per game.
Bediako announced Tuesday he was suing the NCAA in an attempt to gain eligibility and return to the Crimson Tide. Less than 24 hours later, Bediako was given a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, allowing him to return to Alabama.
What once seemed impossible has become the trend. Baylor’s James Nnaji, who was drafted into the NBA but enrolled this season to play with the Bears, became the first player to leave the G-League for the college ranks. London Johnson, the Louisville point guard who skipped college basketball to play in the G-League, and Abdullah Ahmed, the BYU center who joined the G-League directly after playing in Egypt, have also joined the college ranks.
There is one glaring difference between Nnaji and Bediako — every player that left the NBA prior to Bediako started their careers at the professional level. The Alabama big man looked to become the first to return to college.
On Friday, head coach Nate Oats confirmed Bediako would see action in Saturday’s game against Tennessee.
When he first entered the game, Alabama fans erupted in applause. The stadium rang with repeated chants of “Chuck.”
Bediako’s night only got better from there.
The 7-footer scored 13 points and recorded two blocks and steals in 25 minutes of play; however, the short-handed Crimson Tide fell against the Volunteers, 79-73.
“It was great to be back playing with Alabama across my chest,” Bediako said.
Bediako’s 13 points became his third-most scored in a college game, but Oats focused on the big man’s hustle and leadership.
“[Bediako] almost led us in blue-collar points,” Oats said postgame. “He’s a great teammate. He’s gonna help us moving forward.”
Bediako adds much-needed size and rim protection to an Alabama team that desperately needed it. He, along with the sports world, will find out more about his eligibility status Tuesday when the Crimson Tide big man is set to appear in court for a temporary injunction that will likely keep Bediako on Alabama’s roster for the remainder of the season.
Tuesday is also a big day for the team, which will look to bounce back at home against a solid Missouri team. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
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