Alabama’s Sweet 16 Loss Linked to Key Player’s Absence
If Alabama had a former pro basketball player in their roster, things might have turned out differently in the Sweet 16.
Coach Nate Oats expressed frustration on Friday evening, noting that the absence of center Charles Bediako due to NCAA disqualification was a significant blow for the team. They struggled to match the size of the University of Michigan, ultimately losing 90-77.
It’s worth mentioning that Oats had hoped Bediako, who went undrafted in 2023 and signed a two-way contract with the Spurs after three seasons in the G League, would be ruled eligible amidst the complicated landscape of NIL and amateur status.
“We know we have to get bigger,” Oats remarked following the defeat. “Most people, including us, thought Bediako would be eligible. There was at least one judge who thought so. His presence could have helped with rebounding, for sure.”
Michigan, the top seed, had a commanding 46-32 lead against the fourth-seeded Crimson Tide.
“If we could have kept playing with him, we wouldn’t have struggled with rebounds—only 14 tonight,” Oats added, seemingly catching himself mid-thought.
Bediako played for Alabama during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons and returned for five games this January. He was averaging 10 points and 4.6 rebounds in about 22 minutes per game before the disqualification.
In a situation that complicates definitions of amateurism, a judge in Tuscaloosa temporarily allowed Bediako, age 24, to practice and compete while his lawsuit against the NCAA over confusing eligibility standards was pending.
Ultimately, the restraining order lapsed, and a ruling from another judge denied his request to continue playing.
The NCAA accused Bediako of attempting to “circumvent” their rules, potentially jeopardizing opportunities for high school recruits.
Despite the formalities of education, Oats didn’t shy away from the importance of Bediako’s potential impact, especially given the injuries in Alabama’s frontcourt. “After all the challenges we’ve faced, we thought we might finally have a shot at adding some size,” he concluded.
