Report: Alabama center Charles Bediako remaining in 2023 NBA Draft

According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Alabama center Charles Bediako will keep his name in the 2023 NBA Draft. When Bediako declared, he left the door open to return to Tuscaloosa and make another run with the Crimson Tide.

Instead, Bediako will make the jump to the professional ranks. Not all of his feedback from teams has comeback yet but Givony says Bediako is “comfortable” with the results thus far. Another starter for head coach Nate Oats off to the NBA.

“NEWS: Alabama’s Charles Bediako will keep his name in the 2023 NBA draft, a source told ESPN,” Givony said. “Bediako conducted a pro day in Las Vegas today and is comfortable with the NBA feedback he’s received thus far.”

Bediako spent two seasons with Alabama, significantly improving during his sophomore season. He averaged 6.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. But Bediako was a real force on the defensive end, being named to the SEC All-Defense team.

When the lights were brightest during the postseason, averaging 10.3 points and 8.2 rebound between the SEC and NCAA Tournament. As Alabama made a run to the Sweet Sixteen, Bediako played a huge role.

Now, he will be hoping to make a similar impact in the NBA and hear his name called in late June.

More on the 2023 NBA Draft for Charles Bediako

The 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place on Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Brooklyn at Barclays Center. Round 1 of the draft will be announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, while Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum is expected to handle the second round of picks.

To be eligible for the NBA Draft, players must be at least 19 years in age during the calendar year that the draft is held and at least one NBA season from their high school graduation date, or the date that would have been if they are not graduated. It is not required that player spend that one year playing college basketball, though. Players can play in either college, abroad, or the G League Ignite if they choose so.

While this is a significant change from what the rules once were, players are eligible to enter their names into the NBA Draft pool and explore their options by hiring an agent to go through the process, while still keeping their college eligibility. The deadline to make that move is on April 23 beginning at 11:59 p.m. ET. Players have until June 12 at 5 p.m. ET to withdraw their name from the pool and return to college.