Charles Bediako ruling: Judge reportedly major Alabama donor, wife representing ex-player Darius Miles

A controversial eligibility ruling involving former Alabama center Charles Bediako is drawing increased scrutiny. New details have emerged regarding the judge who granted it.

Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Jim Roberts ruled this week that Bediako is immediately eligible to play for the Crimson Tide. He issued a 10-day temporary restraining order (TRO) against the NCAA while the case proceeds.

The decision allows Bediako, who spent parts of three seasons in the NBA G League, to suit up for Alabama as early as Saturday against the Tennessee Volunteers, while awaiting a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for next Tuesday. That same day, Alabama faces the Missouri Tigers.

According to Front Office Sports reporter Alex Schiffer, Roberts and his wife, Mary Turner Roberts, are listed as active donors to The Crimson Tide Foundation, with lifetime contributions ranging between $100,000 and $249,000. Neither Alabama nor the NCAA immediately responded to requests for comment.

The situation becomes more complex due to another potential conflict of interest. Mary Turner Roberts is also a member of the defense team representing Darius Miles, Bediako’s former Alabama teammate, who is awaiting trial on capital murder charges stemming from a 2023 shooting, per the report.

That case is currently delayed after Miles’ defense team accused Judge Roberts of bias and formally sought his recusal. A call placed to Judge Roberts’ office by Front Office Sports on Friday was not immediately returned.

Moreover, Bediako went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft and most recently played for the Motor City Cruise, appearing in a G League game as recently as Jan. 17. After returning to school and enrolling at Alabama for the spring semester to complete his degree, Bediako filed suit against the NCAA challenging its eligibility rules as applied to former professional players.

The TRO granted this week temporarily clears the way for his return to college basketball, but the ruling’s long-term impact remains uncertain. Tuesday’s preliminary injunction hearing will determine whether Bediako can continue playing beyond the 10-day window or if the NCAA’s eligibility restrictions will be reinstated.

In the meantime, the optics surrounding the decision, including the judge’s donor history and familial legal ties, have fueled debate around impartiality, and the increasingly blurred lines between college athletics, the legal system, and institutional power.

As Alabama prepares to put Bediako on the floor, the spotlight will remain squarely on the courtroom just as much as the basketball court itself. It’ll certainly be a landmark decision either way. 

— On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this article.