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Myron Medcalf
multiple authors
Just weeks after Judge ended his second stint as a college basketball player, Charles Bediako He is asking the Alabama Supreme Court to grant him “interim injunctive relief” so he can play the remainder of the season. crimson tide.
Bediako’s lawyers requested the court on Monday during the Centre’s appeal Circuit Court Judge’s refusal Preliminary injunction to continue play moves forward.
Bediako, a standout at Alabama from 2021 to 2023, signed multiple NBA contracts and was playing in the G League when he was a Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge gave him a temporary restraining order To play this season in January – a tremendous decision in the sport.
He averaged 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in five games, with Alabama going 3–2 in those matchups.
“The request is to seek an injunction while the Alabama Supreme Court considers the substance of our argument as to why we believe the Circuit Court’s order was wrong,” David Holt, one of Bediako’s attorneys, told ESPN about his appeal under Alabama’s Rules of Civil Procedure.
The appeal motion states that Bediako must play now that the season is almost over. Since a judge ruled against his request for a preliminary injunction, Bediako has been a regular student helping the Crimson Tide as a member of the scout team, according to coach Nate Oats.
His motion for appeal states, “Pending plaintiff’s appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court, injunctive relief is warranted.” It also said that Bediako’s request “will be worthless without interim relief” as the appeal is “unlikely to be resolved before the end of the season.”
The regular season ends on March 7, with the NCAA Tournament concluding on April 6.
“We understand that Charles is appealing his case against the NCAA and ultimately, he has to do what he believes is in his best interest,” the University of Alabama said in a statement. “The University continues to support Charles as he works towards completing his degree.”
Bediako was given the opportunity to resume his collegiate career three years after helping Alabama become a top-three defense nationally, a move criticized by the sport’s most influential stakeholders.
“These efforts to circumvent NCAA rules and recruit individuals who have completed their time in college or signed an NBA contract are taking opportunities away from high school students,” he said in a statement following the NCAA decision allowing him to play.
Several G League players were cleared to play before that decision, and James NanajiJoe, who was the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA draft, was also granted eligibility by the NCAA. However, the difference between those players and Bediako is that he never signed an NBA contract and never played college basketball.
Bediako signed a two-way deal with San Antonio Spurs And after leaving Alabama to enter the 2023 NBA Draft, that, along with his extensive time in the G League, resulted in multiple Exhibition 10 deals.
His lawyers argued that his professional experience was no different from the experiences of former European professionals and grandfathers before they had the chance to attain collegiate eligibility. He also said that Bediako was missing zero opportunities.
Another judge in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court ruled earlier this month that players cannot play in the NBA and return to college.
The judge denied Bediako’s request for a preliminary injunction, saying, “In order to receive the benefits promised to him for participating in NCAA basketball, Plaintiff must be eligible to participate in NCAA basketball.”
Holt said his team will soon file a full appeal detailing its reasoning for asking the judge for another opportunity to play.
