Charles Bediako

Charles Bediako
Bediako with Alabama in 2023
Personal information
Born (2002-03-10) March 10, 2002
NationalityAmerican / Canadian
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeAlabama (2021–2023, 2026)
NBA draft2023: undrafted
Playing career2023–present
PositionCenter
Career history
2023–2024Austin Spurs
2024–2025Grand Rapids Gold
2025–2026Motor City Cruise
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com 
Stats at Basketball Reference 
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Canada
FIBA Under-19 World Cup
2021 Latvia Team
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
2018 Canada Team

Charles A. Bediako Jr. (born March 10, 2002) is an American and Canadian[1] basketball player. After playing for Alabama between 2021 and 2023, Bediako played three seasons in the NBA G League. In January 2026, he briefly returned to Alabama before being denied eligiblity by a Tuscaloosa judge the following month.

High school career

Bediako began his high school career at Ridley College in St. Catharines, Ontario, in 2018, playing alongside his brother Jaden.[2] In 2019, Bediako transferred to Andrews Osborne Academy in Willoughby, Ohio, for his junior year.[3] As a senior in 2020–21, Bediako played for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he averaged 13.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game.[4] He was selected to the 2021 Jordan Brand Classic game.[5]

Recruiting

Bediako was a consensus four-star recruit and one of the top centers in the 2021 class. On April 6, 2021, he committed to playing college basketball for Alabama over offers from Duke, Michigan, Texas and Ohio State.[6]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Charles Bediako
C 		Brampton, ON IMG Academy (FL) 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Apr 6, 2021 
Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (88)
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: 39    247Sports: 32    ESPN: 35
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Alabama 2021 Basketball Commitments". Rivals. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  • "2021 Alabama Crimson Tide Recruiting Class". ESPN. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved August 20, 2021.

College career

First stint (2021–2023)

As a freshman for the Crimson Tide in 2021–22, Bediako averaged 6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.[7] He was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.[8]

As a sophomore in 2022–23, Bediako averaged 6.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.[9]

On March 31, 2023, Bediako announced that he would enter the NBA Draft pool and sign with an agent while maintaining his eligibility.[10] He competed in the NBA G League Elite Camp, but he did not earn an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine.[10] At the Elite Camp, Bediako was measured at 6 foot 10 without shoes and weighed 223.4 pounds. He also recorded a 7-foot-3 wingspan.[11]

Despite not being invited to the NBA Draft Combine, Bediako announced on May 24, 2023, that he would forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility and persist with entering the NBA draft.[10] He went on to completed pre-draft workouts with the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, and Toronto Raptors.[12]

Second stint (2026)

In January 2026, Bediako became the center of a major eligibility and legal controversy after attempting to return to college basketball at Alabama following time in the NBA G League. Bediako had entered the 2023 NBA draft, signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs, and played professionally in the G League, actions that traditionally make an athlete permanently ineligible for NCAA competition. After the NCAA denied Alabama's request for his reinstatement, Bediako filed a lawsuit against the organization, arguing that recent eligibility decisions had been inconsistent and unfairly restrictive. A Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge issued a temporary restraining order allowing him to practice and compete for Alabama while the case proceeded, marking an unprecedented challenge to long standing NCAA amateurism rules. The case drew national attention and sparked debate among coaches, administrators, and legal experts about the future of college eligibility rules in the era of name image and likeness compensation and professional pathways.[13]

On January 21, Bediako was granted the temporary restraining order, which allowed him to return to briefly play with the Crimson Tide during the 2025–26 season.[14][15] On February 9, his temporary restraining order expired and he was denied a motion to play out the 2025–26 NCAA season. He played five games for Alabama between January 24 and February 7, helping the team go 3–2 over that stretch.[16]

Professional career

Austin Spurs (2023–2024)

After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, Bediako joined the San Antonio Spurs for the 2023 NBA Summer League.[17] On October 2, 2023, he was named in the Spurs' training camp roster.[18] On October 23, his deal was converted into a two-way contract.[19] After suffering a torn meniscus that ruled him out for six to eight weeks,[20] he was waived by the Spurs on December 29.[21] He did not play for San Antonio, but made 11 appearances with the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League, averaging 7.7 points and 6.9 rebounds in 19.0 minutes.[21]

On March 7, 2024, Bediako rejoined the Austin Spurs for the rest of the 2023–24 NBA G League season.[22]

Grand Rapids Gold (2024–2025)

In July 2024, Bediako joined the Orlando Magic for the 2024 NBA Summer League.[23] He signed with the Denver Nuggets on October 8,[24] but was later waived on October 16.[25] He subsequently joined the Grand Rapids Gold for the 2024–25 NBA G League season.[26] He appeared in 50 games for the Gold, averaging 9.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per contest.[27]

Motor City Cruise (2025–2026)

On September 17, 2025, Bediako signed with the Detroit Pistons.[28] He was waived by the Pistons on October 17.[27] He subsequently joined the Motor City Cruise for the 2025–26 NBA G League season. His contract with the NBA G League was terminated on January 27, 2026.[28]

National team career

Bediako has competed internationally for the Canada men's national under-19 basketball team. He averaged 1.8 points and 2 rebounds per game in the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship as Canada finished second in the tournament.[29] In the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup, Bediako averaged 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as Canada finished fourth in the tournament.[30] In the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, Bediako averaged four points and 2.9 rebounds per game, helping Canada win the bronze medal.[31]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021–22 Alabama 33 30 17.8 .692 .000 .612 4.3 .7 .6 1.5 6.7
2022–23 Alabama 37 37 20.7 .659 .000 .355 6.0 .6 .6 1.8 6.4
2025–26 Alabama 5 2 21.6 .773 .000 .696 4.6 .2 .8 1.4 10.0
Career 75 69 19.5 .680 .000 .520 5.2 .6 .6 1.7 6.8

Personal life

Bediako holds dual American and Canadian citizenship[1] and is of Ghanaian descent.[32] His brother, Jaden, played college basketball for Santa Clara and Seton Hall.[33][34] His sister, Jada, plays college basketball for Marquette.[35]

References

  1. ^ a b "Charles Bediako (Canada) - Basketball Stats, Height, Age | FIBA Basketball". www.fiba.basketball. February 7, 2026. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  2. ^ "A WARM WELCOME FOR TEAM CANADA AND THE HOMETOWN BOYS!". Ridley College. June 8, 2018. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  3. ^ Goul, Matt (October 24, 2019). "Growing pains over for ISA at Andrews Osborne?". The Plain-Dealer. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  4. ^ Fletcher, James (April 6, 2021). "Alabama basketball lands commitment from 5-star center Charles Bediako". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  5. ^ Silva, Edilson (May 23, 2021). "Canadians Caleb Houstan & Charles Bediako Selected To 2021 Jordan Brand Classic". BasketballBuzz.ca. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  6. ^ Thompson, David (April 6, 2021). "Duke target Charles Bediako commits to Alabama". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  7. ^ Windham, Katie (February 19, 2022). "Freshman Bediako Growing into Physicality of College Game". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  8. ^ "Men's Basketball All-SEC Teams & Awards Announced". SECSports.com (Press release). Southeastern Conference. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  9. ^ "Charles Bediako College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  10. ^ a b c "Alabama's Bediako officially declares for NBA Draft". WVUA 23. May 24, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  11. ^ Byler, Blake (May 22, 2023). "Alabama Center Charles Bediako Remaining in NBA Draft". SI.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  12. ^ Fletcher III, James (June 6, 2023). "Former Alabama center Charles Bediako slated to workout for nearly half the NBA ahead of draft night". On3.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  13. ^ "Former Alabama player sues NCAA over eligibility after G League stint". Sports Business Journal. January 21, 2026. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  14. ^ Trotter, Isaac (January 21, 2026). "After NBA contracts, court still clears Charles Bediako (for now) to return to Alabama". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  15. ^ "What to know about Charles Bediako, more men's college basketball eligibility cases". ESPN.com. ESPN staff. January 26, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  16. ^ Borzello, Jeff; Medcalf, Myron (February 9, 2026). "What the Charles Bediako ruling means for Alabama and future NCAA eligibility cases". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  17. ^ "SAN ANTONIO SPURS 2023 NBA 2K24 SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER". NBA.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  18. ^ Garcia, Alex (October 2, 2023). "Spurs Announce 2023 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  19. ^ Garcia, Alex (October 23, 2023). "Spurs Announce 2023-24 Opening Night Roster". NBA.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  20. ^ Kirschenbaum, Alex (December 23, 2023). "Charles Bediako Tears Meniscus, Cut By Spurs". hoopsrumors.com. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  21. ^ a b Shirley, P. (December 29, 2023). "Spurs Waive Charles Bediako". NBA.com. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  22. ^ "Austin Spurs Acquire Charles Bediako". OurSportsCentral.com. March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  23. ^ Cohen, Josh (July 5, 2024). "2024 Orlando Magic Summer League Player Analysis". NBA.com. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  24. ^ "NUGGETS SIGN WILL RICHARDSON, ANDREW FUNK, AND CHARLES BEDIAKO". NBA.com. October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  25. ^ Gauruder, Dana (October 16, 2024). "Spurs' McDaniels Among Wednesday's Cuts". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  26. ^ "Gold Finalize 2024-25 Training Camp Roster". OurSportsCentral.com. October 28, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Adams, Luke (October 17, 2025). "Pistons Sign, Waive Four Players". hoopsrumors.com. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  28. ^ a b "Charles Bediako Player Profile, Motor City Cruise - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  29. ^ "Charles BEDIAKO". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  30. ^ "Charles BEDIAKO". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  31. ^ "Charles BEDIAKO". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  32. ^ "8 players with African roots make it into NBA 2023 draft list". Nairobi News. June 23, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  33. ^ "Jaden Bediako - 2022-23 - Men's Basketball". Santa Clara University. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  34. ^ "Jaden Bediako - Men's Basketball". Seton Hall University Athletics. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  35. ^ "Jada Bediako - Women's Basketball". Marquette University Athletics. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
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