Depending on the decision of a Tuscaloosa Circuit Court judge, Alabama basketball could have Charles Bediako back on the floor sooner rather than later.
On Monday, Feb. 23, the three-year G League veteran appealed the court’s decision to deny his injunction against the NCAA earlier in the month. Now, his case is up for review by the Alabama Supreme Court.
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However, whether or not Bediako will receive injunctive relief as his appeal is resolved rests with Judge Daniel Pruet − who presided over his injunction hearing and made the final ruling.
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Bediako’s attorneys underscored the importance of the 23-year-old receiving temporary relief, as the Crimson Tide’s regular season concludes on March 7 and postseason play begins with the SEC Tournament from March 11-15.
“Without interim injunctive relief, the whole purpose for Plaintiff’s appeal — the ability to play basketball for the University of Alabama for the remainder of play in 2026 — will be null,” the document read.
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With a temporary restraining order, Bediako played in five games for Alabama, including Tennessee, Missouri, Florida, Texas A&M and Auburn. Since Bediako has been sidelined, the Crimson Tide has won four consecutive games.
Alabama coach Nate Oats said that Bediako, whose lawsuit against the NCAA began on Tuesday, Jan. 20, is still a student-athlete on scholarship at the university. Oats has also mentioned that Bediako has participated in practices since the court decision on Monday, Feb. 9.
The Crimson Tide returns to Coleman Coliseum on Wednesday, Feb. 25 to play Mississippi State, which fell 97-82 when Alabama traveled to Starkville.
There is no set timeline for when the court’s decision on granting Bediako interim relief will take place.
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Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Can Alabama basketball’s Charles Bediako play amid supreme court appeal?
