Coach Oats voices strong dissent over Charles Bediako's denied eligibility, citing NCAA inconsistencies and legal precedent in college basketball.
Alabama head coach Nate Oats spoke candidly this week following the court decision that officially ended Charles Bediako’s eligibility with the Crimson Tide.
Bediako was denied a temporary injunction on Monday, a ruling that now prevents him from continuing to play for Alabama. As a result, the Crimson Tide will be without the former G-League center for the first time in five games when they travel to face the Ole Miss Rebels on Wednesday night.
Speaking with the Crimson Tide Sports Network’s Chris Stewart, Oats expressed frustration that the situation escalated as far as it did, particularly given what he sees as precedent across college basketball.
“I don't think it should've ever got to court. The NCAA should've made him eligible based on 100 current college basketball players, former professionals, most of them over in Europe, some in the G-League, guys being drafted, rights being owned by NBA teams, as in James Nnaji being eligible to play,” Oats said. “I thought it was kind of a no-brainer by the NCAA.”
Oats’ comments reflect a broader concern about consistency in eligibility rulings, especially when comparing Bediako’s case to others involving players with professional experience or NBA ties.
According to Oats, the lack of clarity and uniform application of rules continues to create unnecessary challenges for student-athletes and programs alike.
The Alabama coach also pointed to a larger pattern when discussing the role of the legal system in college athletics governance.
“The NCAA hasn't really changed much without courts forcing them to change,” Oats said.
Oats added that he believed the legal argument in Bediako’s case was strong enough to warrant a different outcome.
“I thought the courts would see the inconsistencies in the rulings and agree with Charles' attorneys at the NCAA,” Oats said. “To me, the NCAA's point of why Charles shouldn't be eligible was all these rules that they have, but they're not applying those rules to all these other players they've made eligible.”
With the ruling now finalized, Alabama must move forward without Bediako as it enters a critical stretch of SEC play. While the decision closes the door on his return this season, Oats’ remarks highlight ongoing questions surrounding eligibility standards and enforcement within the NCAA.
For Alabama, the focus shifts to on-court preparation. But the discussion sparked by this case is unlikely to fade anytime soon, as college basketball continues to navigate an evolving landscape shaped by legal challenges, precedent, and player rights.