Alabama coach Nate Oats announced that Charles Bediako will play against Tennessee after a judge temporarily reinstated his college eligibility. Bediako had entered the 2023 NBA Draft but went undrafted and has since played in the NBA’s G League. The NCAA has rules preventing players who remain in the draft beyond a certain date from returning to college; however, Bediako is allowed to play due to a court order. Oats criticized the NCAA system as “broken,” highlighting disparities between international players and American athletes.
Bediako’s situation has stirred debate among coaches, with some criticizing Alabama’s decision to allow him back despite NCAA rules. Florida’s coach commented on the potential repercussions of a judge’s ruling on NCAA policies, while Tennessee’s Rick Barnes asserted that once players choose to enter the draft, they forfeit their college eligibility. A full hearing on Bediako’s case is scheduled for Tuesday.
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