Sources: Alabama’s Bediako to remain in NBA draft
May 22, 2023, 11:23 PM ET
Alabama center Charles Bediako plans to remain in the NBA draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility, sources informed ESPN on Monday.Bediako becomes
the third Crimson Tide starter to leave for the draft, following predicted top-three pick Brandon Miller and first-rounder Noah Clowney. Guards Mark Sears and Jahvon Quinerly likewise entered their names into the draft, however they have till Might 31 to withdraw and return to the Crimson Tide.A 7-footer from Canada, Bediako began all 37 games this past season for Alabama, the country’s No. 1 team going into the NCAA tournament. He averaged 6.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks, while shooting almost 66 %from the field.Bediako played his finest basketball down the stretch of the season, scoring in double figures in five of his last six games– including 12 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks versus Texas A&M in the SEC championship game, and 10 points and 10 rebounds versus Maryland in the NCAA tournament.Editor’s Picks 2 Related With his length and volatility at the rim, he was the anchor for an Alabama defense that led the country in 2-point percentage defense and ranked top 5 in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency.As a freshman, Bediako started 30 of 33 games, balancing 6.7 points and 4.3 rebounds and shooting better than 69% from the field.Nate Oats ‘program has actually undergone enormous personnel modifications this offseason, both on the lineup and on the sideline. In addition to the handful of players going into the NBA draft, beginning point player Jaden Bradley got in the transfer portal, as did Nimari Burnett. Reserves Noah Gurley and Dominick Welch consumed their eligibility.Alabama is currently welcoming six new players, led by ESPN 100 potential customers Sam Walters and Kris Parker, along with talented transfers Aaron Estrada(Hofstra)and Latrell Wrightsell(Cal State Fullerton). Oats likewise lost all 3 of his assistant coaches to head coaching-jobs, with Bryan Hodgson( Arkansas State), Charlie Henry (Georgia Southern)and Antoine Pettway( Kennesaw State)leaving. They’ve been replaced by Austin Claunch, who left his post as Nicholls State’s head coach, and previous New Orleans Pelicans assistant Ryan Pannone.