Alabama planning to play embattled Bediako on Saturday vs. Tennessee - ESPN

Alabama coach Nate Oats said Friday he plans to play Charles Bediako against Tennessee on Saturday, after the former Crimson Tide center was granted a temporary restraining order earlier this week to return to college basketball and play immediately.

«We are planning to play him,» Oats said. «He's eligible to play. We're going to follow the court orders.»

Bediako played two seasons at Alabama in 2021-22 and 2022-23 before leaving early for the NBA draft. He went undrafted and never played in an NBA game, spending the past three seasons playing for three different G League teams, suiting up as recently as last weekend for the Motor City Cruise.

He sued the NCAA for immediate reinstatement after the organization denied Alabama's appeal for his return.

Oats pointed out that Bediako is still within the five-year window of his high school graduation and compared his situation to the numerous former European professionals who have been cleared to play college basketball.

«Since the NCAA has already allowed professionals to play — virtually every team we've played this year or will play has a former professional player on their roster — you tell me how I'm supposed to tell Charles and the team that we're not going to support them when he's been deemed legally eligible to play,» Oats said.

«Charles shouldn't be punished for choosing to go the academic route out of high school rather than the professional route like the international players did.»

Tennessee coach Rick Barnes did not mince words when asked about Bediako's eligibility for Saturday's road game.

«When you make the choice to give up your college eligibility, you've given it up,» Barnes said. «And I don't care if it's someone that has been in the service, come back.