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Another former professional basketball player has gone back to school.
Charles Bediako, who has already spent multiple seasons in the G League, played in his first game back with Alabama during their 79-73 loss against Tennessee on Saturday night.
Bediako finished the game with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, along with two steals and two blocks in 25 minutes off the bench.
Charles Bediako receives instructions from head coach Nate Oats during the first half of Alabama’s 79-73 over Tennessee on Jan. 24, 2026 in Tuscaloosa. Getty ImagesThe 23-year-old was granted a temporary restraining order on Wednesday which ultimately made him eligible to return to college basketball immediately, making him the first player to return to the NCAA after previously signing an NBA contract.
“We are planning to play him,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said of Bediako on Friday, per ESPN. “He’s eligible to play. We’re going to follow the court orders.”
Bediako, a 7-foot-3 center, had previously spent two seasons playing for the Crimson Tide in 2021-22 and 2022-23 before leaving the school for the NBA Draft.
He ultimately went undrafted and never played in an NBA game, but he did spend the past three seasons on three different G League teams, and signing two-way contracts with them.
Bediako has most recently suited up for the Piston’s G-League affiliate, Motor City Cruise, earlier this month.
Charles Bediako runs up the court during Alabama’s loss to Tennessee. Getty ImagesOats noted that Bediako is still in the five-year window of his high school graduation, comparing his situation to European players who have played professionally before being cleared to play college basketball.
“Since the NCAA has already allowed professionals to play — virtually every team we’ve played this year or will play has a former professional player on their roster — you tell me how I’m supposed to tell Charles and the team that we’re not going to support them when he’s been deemed legally eligible to play,” Oats said.
During his first stint in Alabama, Bediako was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, and later averaged 6.4 points and 6.0 rebounds during his sophomore campaign for the Crimson Tide.
Bediako’s return to college basketball comes after James Nnaji of Baylor made his NCAA return earlier this month after being drafted by the Hornets with the No. 31 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Despite being an NBA draft selection, Nnaji never signed with a team, which is what ultimately made him eligible for college basketball.
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