Bediako
- Thread starter SPK145
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Classes: Sports Medicine (Trainer) Introduction to Sports Management (NIL Agent) & Exercise Physiology (Playing & winning football games)
We shouldn't be surprised. All of those soulless ambulance chasers from the 80' & 90's are now judges.
Mike Krzyzewski defends Alabama, Nate Oats adding Charles Bediako to roster
On Wednesday, Alabama forward Charles Bediako was granted a temporary restraining order, allowing him to play college basketball again. Bediako played in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons at Alabama.
However, after his second season with the Crimson Tide, Bediako declared for the NBA Draft. Bediako went undrafted. In turn, Bediako played for three separate G-League teams and signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs in 2023.
Bediako never appeared in an NBA game. While international professional players and G-League talents have previously been granted NCAA eligibility, Bediako is the first player who previously played at college before entering the professional ranks, only to return to the collegiate scene.
His case has caused no shortage of controversy among coaches and fans alike. During an interview with Westwood One Sports‘ Josh Graham, former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski weighed in on the issue.
“Throw out the word amateurism, which is OK. That’s not bad. It’s not amateur anymore,” Krzyzewski said. “The thing is, if you’re going to treat an international player, where they can come here and they’re 23, 19, 22 and they’ve been pros for years, and they’re coming here to make more money, you got to be careful in how you treat the American player, who goes through a different system, is drafted, non-drafted, G-League, whatever you do, and say, ‘Well, that’s wrong, but that is right.’
“Let’s figure out what’s right for everybody. Otherwise, you’re not going to be able to validate this in a court of law, because that means you’re treating different people differently.”
In his sophomore season at Alabama, Bediako averaged 6.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. He was named an All-SEC Defensive Team selection and SEC All-Tournament team member.
Alabama head coach Nate Oats announced he intends to play Charles Bediako on Saturday against Tennessee. Like Coach K, Oats criticized the current state of the NCAA’s eligibility rules and said American players deserve better treatment.
“My personal opinion on all of this is we need a uniform and transparent system that doesn’t punish the Americans, that takes the hypocrisy out of it, that gives equal treatment to Americans and international players both, while also allowing high school players the opportunities they need coming out of school. Someone should be able to come up with a system that checks all those boxes,” Oats said. “But for now, we’re going to continue to support Charles.”
Whichever side you're on is understandable. But what's not understandable is a judge who is a major booster of the school in question not recusing himself from the case.
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This is the state of college basketball and they deserve much of the blame. But it also says a lot about our broken Judicial system that all it takes is to find one judge anywhere in this country to make a ruling which can override any rule system.
In this case they found a massive U of Alabama donor, in other cases they've found judges with specific societal or political agendas. It's playing out in politics every day. Both political parties do it. They want to stop their opponent, they go to one of their politically appointed federal judges to rule on anything they don't like and they can stop anything until the other side is able to appeal to one of their higher judges. Insanity.
In this case they found a massive U of Alabama donor, in other cases they've found judges with specific societal or political agendas. It's playing out in politics every day. Both political parties do it. They want to stop their opponent, they go to one of their politically appointed federal judges to rule on anything they don't like and they can stop anything until the other side is able to appeal to one of their higher judges. Insanity.
It’s not about the broken judicial system, it’s about the broken NCAA which allowed this to happen. Now that you allowed this **** show, you expect the courts to correct it? That’s not reasonable.
NIL has ruined college sports and it’s only getting worse. Congress won’t do anything about it. NCAA won’t do anything about it. So it is total chaos.
If I can offer a (slightly) dissenting view before everyone jumps to conclusions: perhaps the judge should have recused himself in light of the fact he's big booster, but I reckon folks would be complaining no matter what judge in Tuscaloosa heard this case. Because you can't throw a stone in that neck of woods without hitting a judge with some sort of 'Bama connection. In fact, I just looked at the bios for all six judges that serve on that court and they all went to Alabama for undergrad and/law school. (And that's consistent with my general experience--many judges/lawyers with ties to University of Alabama, and, more generally, everyone I've met has some sort of deep allegiance to either Alabama or Auburn.)
NCAA files motion for Judge James Roberts to recuse himself from Charles Bediako lawsuit, allege Alabama ties
Report: Tuscaloosa judge grants NCAA recusal request in Charles Bediako case
Report: Tuscaloosa judge grants NCAA recusal request in Charles Bediako case
If chaos is everywhere is there really chaos or is that just business as usual.
I'm a firm believer that schools or conferences need a Declaration of Independence from the NCAA. Then someone needs to write new rules and then we have this novel concept where after the rules are written, schools, coaches and players follow them.
The chaos will either become business as or hopefully will lead to discussions & reforms that make sense for athletes and schools.
If it’s the NCAA who makes the reforms it means nothing. They don’t hold anyone accountable. They could create a zillion great rules but when they’re not enforced they’re less valuable than the toilet paper I used this morning.
Charles Bediako eligibility lawsuit reassigned to same judge presiding over Darius Miles murder case
Charles Bediako eligibility lawsuit reassigned to same judge presiding over Darius Miles murder case
Charles Bediako's eligibility case vs. the NCAA was reassigned to Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge Daniel Pruet on Wednesday, per AL.com