The understanding of college eligibility continues to be tested as men's basketball players with varying degrees of professional experience seek clearance through the NCAA -- and now through the courts.
The approval of requests from three former G League players -- Thierry Darlan (Santa Clara), London Johnson (Louisville) and Abdullah Ahmed (BYU) -- turned heads early in the season. Then the stakes were raised when the NCAA granted eligibility to former NBA draft pick James Nnaji (Baylor) in late December, drawing louder criticism from legendary coaches such as Tom Izzo and John Calipari and forcing the NCAA to release a statement that it "has not and will not grant eligibility to any prospective or returning student-athletes who have signed an NBA contract (including a two-way contract)."
The sport reached an apparent boiling point in mid-January, when Charles Bediako -- a former Alabama player who signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs -- sued the NCAA for denying his request to rejoin college and play for the Crimson Tide once again. He was granted a temporary restraining order that allowed him to play five games for Nate Oats' team, before a judge denied Bediako's request on Feb. 9, effectively ending his college career once again.
Bediako appealed the ruling, with his lawyers filing a request for "interim injunctive relief" so that he can play the rest of the season as they move through the appeals process. But the next day, a judge denied the request for the injunction.
Here's what we know about Bediako's case and other eligibility cases involving former pros.
Jump to: Charles Bediako | James Nnaji | G League cases | NCAA eligibility rules
What to know about Charles Bediako
How was Bediako initially granted eligibility?
Bediako sued the NCAA after Alabama's initial request for his eligibility was denied. He was granted a 10-day restraining order by a Tuscaloosa (Alabama) Circuit Court judge allowing him to immediately join Alabama.
In his lawsuit, Bediako cited multiple G League players who have recently been cleared by the NCAA, as well as Nnaji. His lawsuit stated that the NCAA has been biased toward international players with professional experience over American players who had also pursued professional careers at various levels. Bediako stated he would have stayed at Alabama had he known he could benefit from revenue sharing and NIL opportunities. He also pointed to injuries and his struggles to find a spot at the next level.
How has Bediako's case unfolded?
The temporary restraining order was initially valid for 10 days, with a full hearing on Bediako's request for a preliminary injunction set for Jan. 27.
On Jan. 26, the court extended the temporary restraining order another 10 days because of weather issues. The order was valid for 20 days from when it was originally set (Jan. 21).
Bediako was allowed to play for Alabama in the interim.
A new judge was assigned to the case after the original judge recused himself, and heard arguments from attorneys for both Bediako and the NCAA on Feb. 6.
The case included an affidavit from SEC commissioner Greg Sankey siding with the NCAA
On Feb. 9, the judge announced he was denying the motion for the preliminary injunction, barring Bediako from playing college basketball moving forward. The judge ruled Bediako did not have a "reasonable expectation" that he would be allowed to return to college basketball when no other player had been granted eligibility under the same circumstances.
"To obtain the benefits promised to him for participation in NCAA basketball, the Plaintiff must be eligible to participate in NCAA basketball," the judge said. "Eligibility to participate in the NCAA is controlled by the Defendant's application of the eligibility rules legislated by the NCAA membership."
On Feb. 23, Bediako filed a simultaneous motion with the Alabama Supreme Court for "interim injunctive relief" so that as he prepares to file a full appeal, he can play the rest of the season.
"The request is to put an injunction in place while the Alabama Supreme Court considers the substance of our argument as to why we believe the Circuit Court's order was incorrect," David Holt, one of Bediako's attorneys, told ESPN, following the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.
"Injunctive relief is warranted while Plaintiff's appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court is pending," the motion of his appeal states. It also says Bediako's request "will become moot without interim relief" as the appeal "is unlikely to resolve before the season concludes."
A day later, however, the judge -- who had initially denied Bediako's motion to play on Feb. 9 -- rejected the "interim injunctive relief,"
What was Alabama's response?
Alabama has supported Bediako through the process, with Bediako remaining enrolled on scholarship even after his case was denied. He continues to help the program as a member of the scout team, according to coach Nate Oats.
"We understand that Charles is pursuing an appeal in his case against the NCAA, and ultimately, he must do what he considers to be in his best interest," the University of Alabama said in a statement after Bediako filed the Feb. 23 motion. "The University continues to support Charles as he works toward completing his degree."
What was the NCAA's response to Bediako's case?
The NCAA has stuck to its original decision to not allow eligibility to any player who has signed a two-way contract with an NBA team. But, as it has in other cases, the NCAA has also acknowledged the limitations of its authority in a fluid landscape.
"Common sense won a round today," NCAA president Charlie Baker said after the Feb. 9 ruling. "The court saw this for what it is: an attempt by professionals to pivot back to college and crowd out the next generation of students. College sports are for students, not for people who already walked away to go pro and now want to hit the 'undo' button at the expense of a teenager's dream. While we're glad the court upheld the rules our members actually want, one win doesn't fix the national mess of state laws. It's time for Congress to stop watching from the sidelines and help us provide some actual stability."
What was distinct about Bediako's situation?
Unlike the other players, Bediako did previously play college basketball, at Alabama (2021 through 2023). He had signed a two-way contract with an NBA team, although he had not played in an NBA game.
He also sued the NCAA for the right to play, whereas others were granted eligibility directly from the NCAA.
Had the injunction been granted, Bediako would have been able to play only through the rest of the 2025-26 season, as the NCAA requires athletes to finish their four seasons in a five-year window. (Bediako started his college career in 2021.)
What to know about James Nnaji
How was James Nnaji granted eligibility?
The NCAA cleared Nnaji to join Baylor in late December.
How long will Nnaji be eligible to play college basketball?
Nnaji, who had never played college basketball, was granted four years of eligibility. Through six games with the Bears so far, he is averaging 1.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 12 minutes.
Arkansas coach John Calipari is fed up with the current state of college basketball and the eligibility rules.
What is distinct about Nnaji's situation?
Nnaji is the first former NBA draft pick to be allowed to play college basketball. He was selected 31st in the 2023 draft, though ultimately only played in summer league games (2023 and 2025). He never played an official NBA game.
Like other former European pros who have joined the college ranks, Nnaji also spent the past five years playing overseas for FC Barcelona.
Read more: Who is James Nnaji?
What was the response to Nnaji being granted eligibility?
Michigan State's Izzo told the media "shame on the NCAA" for clearing a drafted player. Arkansas' Calipari was critical of the NCAA for allowing players with any professional experience to play at the college level. And UConn coach Dan Hurley tweeted "Santa Claus is delivering mid season acquisitions...this s*** is crazy!!"
Their criticisms took aim at Nnaji's background as a draft pick, experience in the EuroLeague and midseason timing of his signing. It collectively elicited a response from NCAA president Charlie Baker, who released a lengthy statement clarifying players who had signed an NBA contract were not considered eligible by the NCAA.
G League players
How were former G League players granted eligibility?
The NCAA cleared Darlan in September, Johnson in October and Ahmed in November.
How long will they be eligible to play college basketball?
Darlan and Johnson were each granted two years of eligibility based on their ages and years removed from high school. Ahmed was reportedly granted three based on the same formula.
What is distinct about their situations?
The NCAA does not consider having played in the G League to be the same as having played in the NBA. These three players also participated in the G League Ignite, a special program for younger pro prospects that dissolved after the 2023-24 season due to new NIL rules in college sports that minimized its talent pipeline and were not contractually attached to any NBA teams.
Darlan has appeared in every game for Santa Clara as of this writing. Ahmed played in five of the first six games BYU has played since making his debut in mid-December. And Johnson is redshirting this season at Louisville.
What was the response to them gaining eligibility?
Izzo was vocal in the wake of Johnson's eligibility decision, telling the media "the NCAA has got to regroup."
NCAA eligibility rules
The NCAA's eligibility rules state a player...
Cannot have previously enrolled in college
Cannot have played in an official NBA game, signed an NBA contract or two-way contract
Must be within a five-year window of their high school graduation
