Tuscaloosa Judge Recuses Himself From Charles Bediako Case At Alabama

Some notable news in the eligibility case of Charles Bediako happened on Tuesday, with Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge James Roberts recusing himself from the case at Alabama.

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Charles Bediako’s eligibility case at the University of Alabama centers on his unusual return to college basketball after playing professionally. In early 2026, after the NCAA denied Alabama’s request to reinstate him, Bediako sued the NCAA in Alabama state court, arguing he should be eligible to play despite having entered the 2023 NBA Draft, signed professional contracts, and competed in the NBA G League.

A Tuscaloosa County judge granted a temporary restraining order that allowed Bediako to immediately rejoin Alabama’s roster — making him the first former NBA-contract player with prior collegiate experience to return to NCAA competition — and this injunction has been extended while a preliminary hearing is delayed. The NCAA has objected to the ruling and filed a motion seeking the judge’s recusal amid concerns about impartiality and the broader impact on college eligibility rules.