Update: Charles Bediako Case · Winning Your Way

Update: Charles Bediako Case

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey filed an affidavit supporting the NCAA’s eligibility rules in the ongoing legal battle over whether Alabama basketball’s Charles Bediako should be allowed to continue playing

What Sankey is saying:

• He’s asking the court to uphold NCAA eligibility standards, arguing they are essential for the integrity and educational mission of college sports.

• Sankey also argues that letting former professional athletes return to college play can create an unfair competitive advantage for current student-athletes.

• His view frames these rules as broader protections for opportunities for current and future players, not just one player’s situation.

Bediako, a former Alabama player, later signed a professional contract and played in the NBA G League. He then sued the NCAA to restore his eligibility to play college basketball. A temporary restraining order allowed him to suit up for Alabama for four games while the legal process unfolds. A hearing was held Friday in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court, and a ruling is expected soon. If the court sides with the NCAA, Bediako’s season could be over.

This case touches on broader debates about eligibility, professional experience, and how NCAA rules interact with athlete compensation and career paths. If courts are swayed by Sankey and the NCAA arguments, it could set a precedent limiting how former pros can come back even as NIL and compensation landscapes continue evolving.

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