Alabama fans cheer Charles Bediako after court win over NCAA

Alabama fans gave Charles Bediako a standing ovation during Saturday's 79-73 loss to Tennessee after a judge allowed him to play; a hearing Tuesday will determine whether he can remain with the team.

Charles Bediako entered Saturday's game against Tennessee to a standing ovation from many of the 13,474 fans at Coleman Coliseum after a local judge granted him a temporary order allowing him to play. Bediako scored 13 points with two blocks and three rebounds in 25 minutes as Alabama lost 79-73. The move followed legal filings that briefly restored his eligibility after he had been with the G League's Motor City Cruise a week earlier. The school said it added Bediako largely to fill a roster need at backup big man, while critics and legal experts have noted broader questions about how eligibility disputes are handled. Game and legal details: - Attendance at Coleman Coliseum was reported as 13,474 for the Alabama–Tennessee game. - Bediako checked into the game with 16:11 remaining in the first half and finished with 13 points, two blocks and three rebounds in 25 minutes. - He played after obtaining a temporary restraining order that allowed him to suit up; a hearing on Tuesday will address whether an injunction can keep him eligible for the remainder of the season. - Bediako had been with the Motor City Cruise of the G League a week earlier and previously played for Alabama from 2021–23. - Alabama coach Nate Oats said Bediako "almost led us in blue-collar points" and called him a "great teammate." - Legal commentators in the story described how forum selection and the NCAA's organizational structure can affect eligibility disputes; the report noted Tuscaloosa County judge James Roberts has made donations to the Crimson Tide Foundation, as listed on the foundation's website. Summary: A local court order allowed Charles Bediako to play in Saturday's game, and fans responded with a loud ovation even though Alabama lost. A Tuesday hearing will decide whether he can continue with the team for the rest of the season, and broader legal questions about eligibility and venue selection remain under discussion.