
Court rules Alabama's 7-foot center Bediako ineligible to play
A judge has ruled that Alabama's 7-foot center Charles Bediako is ineligible to play for the Crimson Tide, removing him from competition and impacting the team's roster.
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A judge has ruled that Alabama's 7-foot center Charles Bediako is ineligible to play for the Crimson Tide, removing him from competition and impacting the team's roster.

An Alabama circuit judge denied Charles Bediako's motion for a preliminary injunction, ending the 7-foot center’s collegiate eligibility and his season with the Crimson Tide after he joined Alabama mid-season under a temporary restraining order amid questions about his eligibility. The 23-year-old had averaged 10 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in five games; NCAA President Charlie Baker said the court upheld the rules, and Alabama coach Nate Oats noted Bediako would stay on scholarship while pursuing a degree.

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar was granted a 15-day temporary restraining order against the NCAA to pursue an extra year of college football eligibility, with an injunction hearing set to determine the outcome of his bid to continue playing for the Volunteers this fall.

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar has filed a Knox County Chancery Court lawsuit against the NCAA seeking to extend his Division I eligibility for a fourth season after transferring to Tennessee for the 2025 season; if granted, 2026 would be his sixth season overall. Aguilar, who previously played at junior college and Appalachian State before joining Tennessee, hired Cam Norris as his attorney and recently was involved in the Diego Pavia eligibility case, from which he was voluntarily dismissed. In 2025 he posted 3,565 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with four rushing scores as Tennessee finished 8-5.

Former UCLA guard Amari Bailey, who was drafted by the Hornets and has since appeared in the NBA and in the G-League, says he intends to return to college basketball to chase a national title and would become the first player to go back to college after NBA games. He’s begun reaching out to teams for next season, with attorney Elliott Abrams advocating for eligibility reconsideration.

The NCAA has filed a motion seeking Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge James Roberts, who is listed as an Alabama donor, to recuse himself from the Charles Bediako eligibility lawsuit after Roberts previously granted 10-day TROs; no ruling or new hearing date has been set, while Bediako has debuted for Alabama and the team faces upcoming games.

Former Alabama center Charles Bediako was granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA, making him immediately eligible to participate in all Alabama basketball activities and games for 10 days (or until a Jan. 27 hearing on a preliminary injunction). The NCAA has stated it does not grant eligibility to players who have signed NBA contracts. Bediako, who last played in 2023 and has since been with NBA-related teams and G-League stints, could impact Alabama’s upcoming schedule, including a game vs. Tennessee and a Jan. 27 matchup with Missouri.

Carson Beck says he graduated two years ago but still plays for Miami in the national championship as a graduate student, aided by NCAA rules and a pandemic-era eligibility extension; he’s expected to earn about $3.1 million in NIL and is finishing his sixth college season without taking on traditional classes.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss filed a state-court lawsuit seeking an extra year of NCAA eligibility after the NCAA denied a waiver, calling the decision bad-faith and arbitrary. The suit argues his medical history and limited playing time over five years justify relief, and notes physicians' documentation. The NCAA says waivers require current physician documentation and maintains Ole Miss and Ferris State failed to provide adequate records; Ole Miss plans to appeal the ruling.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, whose eligibility waiver was denied by the NCAA, has his football future in limbo as Ole Miss appeals the ruling and Chambliss’ lawyers prepare to sue the NCAA. Chambliss is weighing a return to college football next season while also preparing for NFL draft activities, including the Senior Bowl and combine, and Ole Miss has contingency options, including Deuce Knight, if Chambliss cannot play next year.

Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, top U.S. pair skaters, performed well at the national championships but face eligibility issues due to Efimova's citizenship status, which could prevent them from competing in the Olympics unless resolved quickly.

The NCAA announced that players who have signed NBA contracts, including those with international or G League experience, will not be granted college eligibility, emphasizing that recent legal decisions and NBA contract signings impact eligibility rules. Despite some players like James Nnaji, who did not sign an NBA contract, gaining eligibility, others with NBA experience such as Jazian Gortman and Trentyn Flowers are ineligible, though legal challenges could arise.

The NCAA is gradually allowing drafted players who haven't signed professional contracts to retain college eligibility, sparking debate about the rules' stability and fairness, especially as legal challenges expose their vulnerabilities. This shift could also impact college football, where drafted players might choose to return to college for financial or strategic reasons, reflecting a changing landscape in college sports governance.

The Jets initially disqualified Ashley Castanio-Gervasi from a $100,000 field-goal contest due to a technicality related to her coaching background, but after public criticism, they reversed their decision and allowed her to participate, emphasizing their commitment to fan engagement.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is applying for a sixth season of eligibility after his fifth season, citing medical issues from 2022 related to chronic tonsillitis. The NCAA waiver process involves medical documentation, and if approved, Chambliss could return to Ole Miss or explore other options like transferring. The decision comes just before the college football playoff and the transfer portal opening, adding to the uncertainty.