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Judge in Charles Bediako Alabama basketball eligibility case recuses himself
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- Judge in Charles Bediako Alabama basketball eligibility case recuses himself
The college basketball soap opera that's taking place on a very different kind of court has taken yet another twist.
Tuscaloosa County ( Alabama ) Circuit Court Judge James H. Roberts Jr. has recused himself from the eligibility case surrounding Alabama center Charles Bediako , according to court documents .
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The move comes one day after the NCAA filed a motion for Roberts, an Alabama donor, to recuse himself. Roberts is listed by the Crimson Tide Foundation as an active "circle" donor, meaning he gives anywhere between $100,000 to $249,999 to the university.
REQUIRED READING: Charles Bediako not opposed to recusal of judge who granted TRO
The NCAA said in court documents that it filed the motion pertaining to Roberts because of "external circumstances that could give the appearance of partiality."
Roberts had granted Bediako a temporary restraining order against the NCAA on Jan. 21 that made him immediately eligible for the Crimson Tide, who he played for from 2021-23 before declaring for the NBA Draft. Though he never suited up in the NBA, Bediako played 82 games in the G League over three seasons. He played for the Motor City Cruise, the Detroit Pistons ' G League affiliate, as recently as Jan. 17.
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Bediako had an injunction hearing scheduled for Jan. 27, but it was pushed back after weather conditions in Tennessee prevented an NCAA lawyer from being able to make it to Alabama for the hearing. Because of that, Roberts extended Bediako's restraining order another 10 days.
Following a three-year sabbatical from college basketball, Bediako has been immediately impactful for an Alabama team that's No. 23 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll . In two games — a loss to Tennessee and a win over Missouri — the 23-year-old Bediako is averaging 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and one block in 21.5 minutes per game while shooting 81.8% from the field.
The Crimson Tide have games against No. 21 Florida on Feb. 1 and Texas A&M on Feb. 4 that are scheduled before the 10-day extension on Bediako's restraining order is set to lapse.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge in Charles Bediako Alabama basketball eligibility case recuses himself
