Former Alabama, G League player sues NCAA over eligibility - ESPN

Former Alabama standout Charles Bediako, who entered the 2023 NBA draft and played in the G League this season, has sued the NCAA to gain immediate reinstatement to join the Crimson Tide for the rest of the 2025-26 season, after the school's appeal for his eligibility was denied.

Bediako's complaint, which was filed in Tuscaloosa Circuit Court on Tuesday, cites multiple G League players who have recently been cleared by the NCAA and Baylor center James Nnaji, who was the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Nnaji never signed an NBA contract and secured his eligibility to play for the Bears in December. Bediako's complaint also argues that the NCAA has been biased toward international players with professional experience.

«The NCAA's recent reinstatement of James Nnaji, along with other European professional players, has shown that its current application of eligibility rules favor players who have competed internationally over athletes who have pursued domestic opportunities,» the complaint states. «Despite being selected 31st overall in the NBA Draft, Nnaji was recently reinstated and will have four seasons of NCAA eligibility. This, despite Nnaji playing professionally for at least three seasons in Europe, including two for powerhouse FC Barcelona. The NCAA's rules also create an entirely arbitrary distinction between student athletes who go directly from high school to professional competition and those who initially enroll in college, later leave for the draft, and then seek to return.»

Bediako averaged 10.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 34 regular-season games for the Grand Rapids Gold in the G League last season. He played six regular-season games for the Motor City Cruise this season, as well as five for the