Alabama coach Nate Oats was pretty straightforward regarding Charles Bediako. “Since the NCAA has already allowed professionals to play … you tell me how I’m supposed to not support Charles and the team when he’s been told he’s able to play?” Oats stated.“We are planning to play him.” Now the former NBA draftee will suit up against Tennessee, but unfortunately for Alabama fans, two of their top scorers won’t.

“Alabama’s Aden Holloway and Amari Allen are doubtful for the game against Tennessee tonight, per an ESPN source,” Pete Thamel initially reported. In the SEC availability report released later on, both Holloway and Allen were confirmed as out for Alabama, along with Davion Hannah, Keiton Bristow, and Collins Onyejiaka.

The duo is a huge loss for Oats and Co. Holloway is Alabama’s second-highest scorer at 17.7 points per game, who also chips in 2.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists. On the other hand, Allen’s absence will hurt the most. He is Alabama’s third-highest scorer at 11.7 points per game, but gave Oats 7.8 rebounds (most on the team) and 3.4 assists.

Without Holloway, head coach Nate Oats will need Latrell Wrightsell to step up and compensate with additional scoring and facilitating duties. The guard is Alabama’s fourth-leading scorer with 10.8 points per game and chips in 2.2 assists. Replacing Allen’s production will likely be Aidan Sherrel. He is the fifth Alabama player averaging double figures with 10.5 points per game and is second on the team with 6.1 rebounds.

Charles Bediako’s arrival will help as well. During his two years at Alabama, he averaged 6.6 points and 5.2 rebounds, but he is better now. In his two years in the G-League, Bediako averaged 21.3 minutes per game with 8.4 points and 8.0 rebounds in 46 games. Alabama has struggled on the boards this season. On the face it might not look like it as they average 42.6 rebounds per game, ranking ninth in the country. However, they allow 33.5% offensive rebounds to their opponents per Barttorvik (292nd) and get only 33.3% of theirs (111th).

Going up against Tennessee, that is especially important, as they are the best offensive rebounding team in the country. Rick Barnes’ side gets 15.2 offensive boards per game at 44.3%. It will be intriguing to see how Bediako will fare immediately in his first game back. Especially with this controversy and noise around him. As Alabama braces for Tennessee, all eyes turn to Bediako, who now enters the spotlight with plenty of hype and even more scrutiny.

Charles Bediako Claims They Can ‘Win It All’

When James Nnaji came to Baylor, he was immediately booed. The crowds did not particularly like him or the message he carried. He was the first NBA draftee to return to college basketball in recent history. Charles Bediako is the second, and his case is even worse in the eyes of the fans. Nnaji hadn’t played college basketball before, but Bediako has had two full-fledged seasons with the same team he is joining now. Fortunately, his 2026 debut will be at home, a soft landing. But it’s unlikely the sentiment will die down. Bediako doesn’t care as he is looking ahead to the grand prize.

“[Coach Nate Oats] has a plan,” Bediako told Yea-Alabama.com. “I’m ready to help these guys win and also give them some of my knowledge. We’ve got a great group of guys. I think we can win it all. I’m just excited, just as much as they are.”

It is entirely possible Alabama makes a run in March. But it will require some improvement from Nate Oats and the team. Bediako is not going to solve all their problems. First of all, their luck regarding injuries has been terrible. In addition, they need to show up against top opponents like Tennessee as the No.17 side is 4-4 against quad 1 opponents.

And all their ranked wins came in November. In recent weeks, it has been stagnant. Their NET rating currently stands at No.20, but the SEC will give them plenty of opportunities to improve that. The 3 currently ranked teams left on their schedule are Florida, Arkansas, and Georgia. Nate Oats will hope that Bediako reinvigorates this side into playing their best basketball.