SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is arguing against Alabama men’s basketball player Charles Bediako’s request for ongoing eligibility in his lawsuit against the NCAA.
In an affidavit filed Thursday in the state of Alabama’s Tuscaloosa Circuit Court, Sankey asked the court to uphold the NCAA’s eligibility rules and deny Bediako a preliminary injunction that would allow him to continue playing. Sankey is essentially advocating against a conference member in favor of the NCAA.
Bediako, who previously played for Alabama for two seasons from 2021 to 2023, has appeared in four games since Jan. 24 under a temporary restraining order. A hearing on the preliminary injunction to determine whether he can continue playing this season is scheduled for Friday morning.
“I respectfully ask the Court to uphold the NCAA eligibility rules challenged in this case, which are essential to the integrity of college sports, to the educational mission they serve, and to the opportunities they provide for current and future student-athletes,” Sankey said.
Bediako, 23, previously declared for the 2023 NBA Draft after two seasons with the Crimson Tide, forgoing his remaining eligibility. He went undrafted but signed a two-way contract with an NBA team and spent most of the past three seasons competing in the G League, including as recently as Jan. 17, 2026. He never appeared in an NBA game.
“Greg Sankey’s emphasis on the need for consistent application of eligibility rules to avoid disruption in college sports is contradicted by the NCAA’s own recent practices,” Bediako’s attorney Darren Heitner said in a post on X. “As evidenced by multiple eligibility grants, the NCAA has waived similar rules for former professional athletes, including Thierry Darlan, Abdullah Ahmed, James Nnaji, and Fedor Zugic. These waivers demonstrate selective enforcement, undermining Sankey’s assertion that inconsistent application fuels disruption.”
The 7-footer from Brampton, Ontario, is averaging 9.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in 21.5 minutes over four games. Alabama (15-7) plays at Auburn on Saturday and is projected to make the NCAA Tournament. The team is 2-2 since Bediako rejoined the roster.
Friday’s hearing stands to deliver a significant decision for the NCAA in its ongoing legal challenges to its eligibility rules, particularly in college basketball. The NCAA granted eligibility to many former G League and international players this season — including Baylor’s James Nnaji, a former NBA Draft pick. Yet, unlike Bediako, none had previously played in college or signed an NBA contract, which the latter was established as a red-line distinction by NCAA president Charlie Baker.
“The NCAA has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract (including a two-way contract),” Baker said in a statement on Dec. 30.
Bediako’s original complaint alleged that he filed the lawsuit only after the NCAA denied the University of Alabama’s request to reinstate his eligibility. It also argued that Bediako “never would have left school to pursue financial gain elsewhere” had he known the amount of money he could have earned at the college level via name, image, and likeness (NIL) and direct revenue sharing from the university under the terms of the House settlement.
The motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction stated Bediako would “suffer irreparable harm” if he was not granted immediate eligibility because of the competitive, financial and educational opportunities he would miss out on. The lawsuit also argues that Bediako’s case falls under the same category as other G League and international players who were granted eligibility.
The University of Alabama released a statement last month that it “supports Charles and his ongoing efforts to be reinstated for competition while he works to complete his degree.”
Alabama and head coach Nate Oats have drawn criticism from other coaches, administrators and college basketball personalities for recruiting and playing Bediako, with concerns that it could spark similar eligibility efforts by other athletes and unleash chaos in college basketball and the NBA. Amari Bailey, a former UCLA guard, was selected in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft after one season with the Bruins and played in 10 games for the Charlotte Hornets. His lawyer recently confirmed to The Athletic that Bailey is pursuing a return to college basketball.
Sankey echoed those concerns in his affidavit: “Inconsistent application of the NCAA eligibility rules challenged in this case — through court rulings or otherwise — fuels disruption in college sports.”
The SEC commissioner argued that granting Bediako continued eligibility would undermine the NCAA’s existing rules and the schools that have committed to following them.
“It is also unfair to college sports programs that have operated within the existing framework for college athletics,” Sankey wrote, “and thus have not sought to add former professional athletes to their rosters.”
Friday’s hearing will happen before Judge Daniel Pruet. The initial judge, James H. Roberts Jr., granted Bediako the temporary restraining order but later recused himself after the NCAA argued Roberts’ relationship with the university suggested an “impermissible appearance of impropriety.” Roberts is listed as a University of Alabama athletics donor on The Crimson Tide Foundation’s website, and there are reports that his wife, Mary Turner Roberts, is a lawyer for former Alabama player Darius Miles, who is set to stand trial for capital murder stemming from a 2023 shooting.