Overview
- Tuscaloosa County Judge James H. Roberts Jr. granted a temporary restraining order making Bediako immediately eligible and restraining the NCAA from imposing or threatening penalties.
- The order lasts about 10 days, with a preliminary injunction hearing set for Jan. 27 that will determine whether his eligibility is extended.
- The NCAA reiterated it will not grant eligibility to athletes who signed NBA contracts and urged Congress to empower it to enforce eligibility rules.
- Bediako went undrafted in 2023, signed multiple NBA-related deals including a two-way with the Spurs, played in the G League, and has not appeared in an NBA regular-season game.
- Alabama said it supports Bediako as he works to complete his degree, he is enrolled for the spring, and he is eligible to play during the order’s window with Tennessee up next on Saturday.