(BCSNN) — Former Alabama standout Charles Bediako, who entered the 2023 NBA draft and signed a two‑way contract with the San Antonio Spurs, has been granted a temporary restraining order allowing him to return to the Crimson Tide and college basketball immediately, a Tuscaloosa County judge ruled Wednesday.

Bediako, who went undrafted and never appeared in an NBA game after playing on two NCAA tournament teams at Alabama in 2021‑22 and 2022‑23, sued the NCAA on Tuesday after the organization denied Alabama’s appeal to reinstate him. The ruling came just hours after NCAA president Charlie Baker reiterated that players who have signed NBA contracts would not be granted eligibility to return to college basketball.

The case marks the first time a player who entered the NBA draft and signed an NBA contract after playing college basketball has been granted the opportunity to return to Division I competition, a decision that could reshape the sport during a turbulent period.

Judge James H. Roberts Jr. ruled that Bediako “is immediately eligible” to participate in all team activities and ordered that the NCAA is “restrained from threatening, imposing, attempting to impose, suggesting or implying any penalties or sanctions” against Bediako, Alabama, its coaches or players. The temporary restraining order is valid for 10 days, with a full hearing scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m. local time.

Alabama issued a statement saying, “The University of Alabama supports Charles and his ongoing efforts to be reinstated for competition while he works to complete his degree.”

The NCAA responded sharply, saying, “These attempts to sidestep NCAA rules and recruit individuals who have finished their time in college or signed NBA contracts are taking away opportunities from high school students… A judge ordering the NCAA let a former NBA player take the court Saturday against actual college student‑athletes is exactly why Congress must step in and empower college sports to enforce our eligibility rules.”

In his complaint, Bediako cited the eligibility of Baylor center James Nnaji, the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA draft, who was cleared to play college basketball in December despite professional experience in the NBA summer league and multiple seasons with EuroLeague club FC Barcelona. Bediako argued that the NCAA has shown bias toward international players with professional backgrounds.

His complaint stated, “The NCAA's recent reinstatement of James Nnaji, along with other European professional players, has shown that its current application of eligibility rules favor players who have competed internationally over athletes who have pursued domestic opportunities.” It further argued that the NCAA’s rules create “an entirely arbitrary distinction” between players who go directly from high school to professional competition and those who enroll in college before pursuing the draft.

The ruling could open the door for other former college players who signed two‑way or full NBA contracts to seek a return to college basketball — a scenario coaches such as Tom Izzo, Dan Hurley and John Calipari have previously warned about. Izzo said, “Someone is going to say, ‘Well, if they go pro and it doesn’t work out, they should be able to come back,’” adding that college basketball currently has “no rules”.

The matter didn't sit well with UConn athletic director David Benedict, who said he is urging the NCAA to take a firmer stance in cases where judges override eligibility rules, saying, “If legally we can't control or impose NCAA rules… the NCAA still has the right to determine what games count toward the NCAA tournament. And what games don't count.” He added, “Otherwise, throw away the rulebook and set it on fire. There are no rules.”

Earlier this month, Alabama coach Nate Oats said that former professional and G League players being granted eligibility could hurt high school prospects but acknowledged he would pursue such players if allowed. “On a competitive level… if they're the better players you can get, then you probably gotta go after them,” Oats said on SiriusXM Radio.

Bediako’s case is unique because the other professional players recently cleared by the NCAA had never previously played Division I basketball. In his complaint, Bediako said he would have remained at Alabama had he known that revenue sharing and NIL opportunities would expand, and he cited injuries and difficulty finding a role at the next level as reasons for seeking reinstatement.

Under the NCAA’s five‑year eligibility window, Bediako can join Alabama for the remainder of the season depending on the outcome of next week’s hearing. Alabama faces Tennessee on Saturday as it continues to address defensive struggles, ranking 67th in adjusted defensive efficiency.

In two seasons at Alabama, Bediako averaged 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. In 2022‑23, Alabama ranked No. 3 nationally in defensive efficiency.