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The world of college basketball is changing. Through loopholes, players who have gone on to play professional basketball — though not in the NBA — have found ways to return to college and tap into unused eligibility.
One such player is Alabama’s Charles Bediako. If you recognize the name, it may be because the 7-foot center spent two seasons with the Crimson Tide from 2021 to 2023. After the conclusion of the 2022–23 season, he declared for the NBA Draft.
Bediako wasn't selected but has played in three seasons of the G League, with three different teams. He has now cited that he made a career mistake by leaving college, especially given how the NIL landscape has shifted. Bediako pointed toward international players who never made the NBA, being able to use their unused eligibility after playing overseas, and a temporary injunction was submitted, giving him permission to suit up once again for the Crimson Tide on Saturday, January 24.
Here is more on the controversial Bediako, and his return to Alabama after leaving the Crimson Tide for the G League.
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How good is Charles Bediako?
Bediako is a 7-ft. center. He is a solid player, but his college stats from his first stint at Alabama suggest that he is fine, not great. From 2021 to 2023 he averaged 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 19.3 minutes per game in 70 games. The Crimson Tide may use him more now if he has developed from his time in the G League, but it isn't like Alabama is getting back a former No. 1 overall pick.
Charles Bediako G League stats
Bediako played 46 games in the G League between 2023 and 2025. In that span, he averaged 21.3 minutes per game with 8.4 points and 8.0 rebounds. Bediako played better in the G League than he did at Alabama during his first stint, but it remains to be seen how his game will translate back to college.
Here is a look at Bediako's per-game G League stats.
| Season | Team | Games | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Blocks | Minutes |
| 2023-24 | Austin Spurs | 6 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 4.2 |
| 2024-25 | Grand Rapids Gold | 34 | 10.4 | 9.4 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 25.3 |
| 2025-26 | Motor City Cruise | 6 | 4.3 | 6.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 15.7 |
| Total | 3 teams | 46 | 8.4 | 8.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 21.3 |
Charles Bediako college stats
Here is a look at Bediako's per-game college stats from his first stint with the Crimson Tide.
| Season | Games | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Blocks | Minutes |
| 2021-22 | 33 | 6.7 | 4.3 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 17.8 |
| 2022-23 | 37 | 6.4 | 6.0 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 20.7 |
| Total | 70 | 6.6 | 5.2 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 19.3 |
Was Charles Bediako drafted?
No. Bediako was not drafted. He opted to leave Alabama after the 2022-2023 season, but he went undrafted. Bediako signed with the San Antonio Spurs' G League team.
MORE: Why is Bediako allowed to return to college basketball?
Charles Bediako recruiting ranking
In the 2021 class, 247Sports had Bediako ranked as the No. 35 player in the nation. He was considered the sixth-best center as well as the seventh-best player from Florida.
Among centers, he was ranked behind Chet Holmgren, Jalen Duren, Efton Reid, Nate Bittle and Enoch Boakye. In Florida, he was ranked behind Duren, Caleb Houstan, Moussa Diabate, Reid, Bittle, Tamar Bates and Benny Williams.
Where is Charles Bediako from?
Bediako was born in Ontario, Canada, on March 10, 2002. As college — and potentially professional — basketball became an option, he began to move around.
He started his high school career at Ridley College in Ontario before transferring to Andrews Osborne Academy in Willoughby, Ohio. Bediako later transferred again, spending the remainder of his high school career at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
How old is Charles Bediako?
Bediako was born on March 10, 2002. He is 23 years old, and will turn 24 years old ahead of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
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