A Tuscaloosa judge extended the temporary restraining order on Monday that was granted to Alabama center Charles Bediako for a further 10 days or until a hearing is set, after it was set to expire Tuesday.
Judge James H. Roberts Jr. of the Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court — who was previously revealed to be an Alabama Athletics donor — extended the order due to the NCAA’s attorney, Taylor Askew, being unable to attend a hearing previously set for Tuesday because of inclement weather.
Bediako will now be eligible to play in the Crimson Tide’s clash with Missouri on Tuesday. He may remain eligible for the team’s road clash with No. 19 Florida on Sunday and beyond, depending on the rescheduled date of his hearing for a preliminary injunction.
Alabama head coach Nate Oats said Monday that Bediako will continue to play for the team as long as he’s eligible to play. He notched 13 points on 5/6 shooting in his first collegiate action in three seasons in the team’s 79-73 loss to Tennessee on Saturday.
“Charles has done nothing wrong,” Oats said. “Charles, his agent and his attorneys have seen what’s gone on in the landscape of college basketball, and all the former pros that are playing. Just about everybody we play has got one, and they’ve seen who the NCAA has allowed to be eligible, and they didn’t see any reason why Charles wasn’t eligible, and I agree with them.”
Alabama and Bediako will return to action on Tuesday at home against the Missouri Tigers. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT, and the game can be streamed on SEC Network.
