NBA G League player Charles Bediako, who has signed three NBA contracts, is suing the NCAA in hopes of returning to Alabama and playing college basketball again.
Bediako entered the 2023 NBA Draft and ended up in the G League. He averaged 10.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game for the Grand Rapids Gold last season.
Here are more details from ESPN:
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.”.
The NCAA put out the following statement in response to the suit:
“The NCAA is aware of media reports about a lawsuit filed against the NCAA by Charles Bediako. Mr. Bediako signed three NBA contracts after competing in college for two seasons. The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract. Eligibility rules ensure high school students get a shot at earning scholarships, and we will continue to consistently apply and defend these rules.”
