Alabama’s Bediako officially declares for NBA Draft

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Sam Thornton

TUSCALOOSA-University of Alabama men’s basketball center Charles Bediako has decided to forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility and persist in this year’s NBA draft, per multiple reports. Bediako announced on March 31 that he would enter the NBA Draft pool and sign with an agent while maintaining his eligibility.

After an experimenting freshman season in Tuscaloosa, the 6-foot 10-inch sophomore sprouted into one of the Crimson Tide’s key players, averaging 6.4 points and 1.8 blocks per game. Bediako made his presence felt within the defensive paint as a true rim protector and was named to the All-SEC Defensive Team.

It’s a common practice for unrefined players with tremendous upside to enter their names in NBA Draft waters, but usually players like Bediako tend to return for one more season in college. What most likely prompted Bediako’s choice to remain in the draft was his elevated play during the postseason, with a slew of double doubles in SEC and NCAA tournament competition.

Bediako was not invited to the NBA Draft Combine alongside teammates Brandon Miller and Noah Clowney. Instead, Bediako displayed his skillset at the NBA G League Elite Camp. His play there did not impress draft stock scouts, and he wound up missing out on one of the eight spots from the camp invited to the Draft Combine.

However, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony says that Bediako feels “comfortable” with his feedback to take a gamble on the June 22 Draft.

“Bediako conducted a pro day in Las Vegas today and is comfortable with the NBA feedback he’s received thus far,” Givony said per On3Sports.

Perhaps his decision to remain in the draft will pay off with the upside seen at the end of the season, but nothing is guaranteed. As for Nate Oats, this will be another hole to fill for next season as guards Mark Sears and Jahvon Quinerly have their names in draft hopes and will have until May 31 to announce their return to the program.