NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 27: Paul Goldschmidt #48 of the New York Yankees in action during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on September 27, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On January 28th, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman addressed the media after Cody Bellinger’s return to the Bronx became official. When inevitably asked about the Yankees deciding to essentially bring back the same roster that lost the AL East and the ALDS to the Blue Jays in 2025, he said that this wasn’t the case:
“It’s not the same roster. … I disagree it’s the same team running it back. … Not afraid to run with the quality and talented roster of players that we do have. I think we’ve been consistent with that throughout the entire winter”
Well here we are a week later and news just broke of the Yankees officially bringing another dude back from the 2025 team, and someone far less essential than Bellinger: first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. ESPN’s Jeff Passan had the report of the 2022 NL MVP accepting a one-year deal to play a second season in New York.
First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and the New York Yankees are finalizing a one-year contract, sources tell ESPN. Goldschmidt, 38, returns to the Yankees after hitting .274/.328/.403 for them last season.
I know that it is not hip at all in the year 2026 to do reaction GIFs or clips, but I’m sorry. I can only be who I am.
Is there an argument that it makes sense to bring Goldschmidt back since up-and-coming first baseman Ben Rice didn’t hit that well against lefties in 2026? Sure. But here’s the dirty secret: Goldschmidt stopped hitting lefties after Memorial Day, too.
Paul Goldschmidt, a righty swinger, had a .981 OPS against lefties last year. But that number fell to .676 from June 1 through the end of the regular season. #Yankeeshttps://t.co/gqffjOhr9S
For the record, Ben Rice’s season OPS against lefties was .752. So that’s neat.
The 2025 World Series was a seven-game classic between two great teams: the Dodgers and Blue Jays. The Dodgers became MLB’s first back-to-back champion since the 1998-2000 dynasty Yankees. They still bolstered their roster this offseason by signing two All-Stars in closer Edwin Díaz and outfielder Kyle Tucker. If one bounce went another way in that Fall Classic or if Isiah Kiner-Falefa got a better lead at third base late in Game 7, the Blue Jays would’ve won it all. They didn’t; although they lost Bo Bichette to the Mets, they’ve still responded this offseason by signing Dylan Cease to boost their rotation and bringing aboard infielder Kazuma Okamoto from the NPB.
The Yankees are running it back. Cashman can try to get cute in his responses by acting like Trade Deadline moves for relievers and bench players make it so that’s not quite the case because well, well, uh, well, they weren’t there in the first half! And Devin Williams and Luke Weaver are gone, so that’s different! Ryan Weathers is here and will totally stay healthy and reach his highest potential! Getting Gerrit Cole back after Tommy John surgery will be like a Trade Deadline acquisition! No one’s ever had a tricky time finding their rhythm again after a year and a half away from the game. And we tied for the most wins in the American League so we’re great! It’s fine! Championship-caliber and all!
Look, the AL is not inspiring and the Yankees should remain good. That is a fact. Still, I come back to this other fact: The 1998 Yankees were probably the best team in baseball history. After winning it all, they shook it up a bit anyway because there was still room for improvement, trading fan favorite and playoff standout David Wells in exchange for Roger Clemens. They then won two more championships.
So whatever. Congrats to Goldy I guess. This is no dig at him personally as he seems like a very nice fellow. But this is all just so silly — and that’s using a kind word.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The first game Ayo Dosunmu plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves will be his first for a team outside his home state.
The opportunity to join an NBA title contender was worth sacrificing some comfort.
Dosunmu was traded by the rebuilding Chicago Bulls along with third-year forward Julian Phillips to Minnesota on Thursday for deep reserves Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller and four second-round draft pick in the frenetic final hours leading up to the league’s trade deadline.
A Chicago native who played at the University of Illinois, Dosunmu turned to journaling to process his emotions after the trade.
“I was just writing how I was feeling, embracing that, and then as hours went on I was able to understand and be like, ‘Yeah, this is a great opportunity for me,’” Dosunmu said Friday. “I pretty much was there my whole basketball career. So I’m excited to step away from that and really tap into more of my full potential, and I think I have a great opportunity here with the T-wolves.”
The 26-year-old Dosunmu, who is averaging a career-high 15 points and shooting a career-best 45.1% from 3-point range, was targeted by the Timberwolves to address a persistent need for more offense off the bench. The departure via free agency prior to the season by versatile guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has left a void in the rotation that the Timberwolves wanted to try to fill for the stretch run and the playoffs, as they seek to capitalize on the ascendance of star Anthony Edwards and surpass their Western Conference finals appearances of the last two years.
Dosunmu and Phillips were ruled out of playing for Minnesota on Friday against New Orleans, but Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said he hopes to get Dosunmu up to speed in time for a game Sunday against the Clippers.
Dosunmu will be a free agent after the season. By acquiring him now, the Timberwolves have his “Bird Rights” which would allow them to exceed the salary cap by re-signing him and offer him more money and term than any other team.
“We’re certainly hopeful it’s a long-term match,” said Tim Connelly, Minnesota’s president basketball of operations. “He wasn’t just identified for the next 30-plus games. He was identified because we think he’s a guy that could be a huge part of our core.”
___
AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell contributed to this report.
Paul Goldschmidt will play a second season with the Yankees. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Jim McIsaac via Getty Images
Paul Goldschmidt is headed back to the Bronx.
The veteran first baseman is finalizing a one-year contract to return to the New York Yankees, according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. Goldschmidt reportedly had offers for more money from other teams, but decided to return to New York.
Goldschmidt first joined the Yankees last year on a one-year, $12.5 million deal after six years with the St. Louis Cardinals. In his age-37 season, his production was below his career norms, with a .274/.328/.403 slash line, 45 RBI and 10 homers in 146 games.
This year, the former MVP figures to provide the right-handed side of a platoon at first base alongside left-handed Ben Rice, the part-time catcher who broke out at the plate last year. Goldschmidt, a four-time Gold Glove winner at first, could also make appearances as a defensive replacement in the later innings.
The Yankees still had use for a right-handed bench bat, though, and Goldschmidt, a likely Hall of Famer, fit the bill well. It’s unclear how much longer he’s going to play, but he remains an above-average hitter and a solid clubhouse presence.
New York currently holds the second-best World Series odds in MLB at BetMGM at +1000, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers (+225).
Paul Goldschmidt will play a second season with the Yankees. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Jim McIsaac via Getty Images
Paul Goldschmidt is headed back to the Bronx.
The veteran first baseman is finalizing a one-year contract to return to the New York Yankees, according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. Goldschmidt reportedly had offers for more money from other teams, but decided to return to New York.
Goldschmidt first joined the Yankees last year on a one-year, $12.5 million deal after six years with the St. Louis Cardinals. In his age-37 season, his production was below his career norms, with a .274/.328/.403 slash line, 45 RBI and 10 homers in 146 games.
This year, the former MVP figures to provide the right-handed side of a platoon at first base alongside left-handed Ben Rice, the part-time catcher who broke out at the plate last year. Goldschmidt, a four-time Gold Glove winner at first, could also make appearances as a defensive replacement in the later innings.
The Yankees still had use for a right-handed bench bat, though, and Goldschmidt, a likely Hall of Famer, fit the bill well. It’s unclear how much longer he’s going to play, but he remains an above-average hitter and a solid clubhouse presence.
New York currently holds the second-best World Series odds in MLB at BetMGM at +1000, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers (+225).
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has become a shareholder in Kalshi, a major prediction market with a wide array of sports trading opportunities.
Antetokounmpo announced the partnership Friday.
“The internet is full of opinions. I decided it was time to make some of my own,” Antetokounmpo posted on social media. “Today, I’m joining Kalshi as a shareholder.”
Kalshi said Antetokounmpo is the first basketball star to join the company as a shareholder. The partnership includes help with live events and marketing.
“Giannis is a legend,” Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour said in a release. “He’s exactly the type of long-term partner we want to align our growing brand with, and we couldn’t be happier he’s on board.”
Antetokounmpo was the subject of widespread rumors ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. But the Bucks decided to keep the two-time MVP, who hasn’t played since straining his right calf on Jan. 23.
In the days leading up to the deadline, Kalshi had several posts on X highlighting its event contracts on Antetokounmpo’s trade market and the fluctuating odds connected to the teams believed to be in the mix for his services.
According to Kalshi’s release, Antetokounmpo will be forbidden from trading on markets related to the NBA. Messages were left Friday seeking further details from Kalshi and comment from the NBA.
“I love the Kalshi markets and have been checking them often recently,” Antetokounmpo said in the company’s release. “I like to win. It’s clear to me Kalshi is going to be a winner and I’m excited to be getting involved.”
Antetokounmpo, 31, also is part of the ownership group for baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers and Major League Soccer’s Nashville SC.
Prediction markets provide an opportunity to trade — or wager — on the result of future events. They rose to prominence in politics, but the array of typically yes-or-no questions includes everything from the weather to the Oscar for best picture.
The markets are comprised of event contracts, with the prices connected to what traders are willing to pay, which theoretically indicates the perceived probability of an event occurring. The buy-in for each contract ranges from $0 to $1 each, reflecting a 0% to 100% chance of what traders think could happen.
When the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro last month, an anonymous trader on Polymarket — another prediction market — made more than $400,000 after betting that Maduro would soon be out of office, raising suspicions of potential insider trading because of the timing of the wagers and the trader’s narrow activity.
A professional athlete is now a partial owner of prediction market platform Kalshi, and it’s a big one.
Key Takeaways
NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo said on X that “it was time to make some (opinions) of my own.”
Kalshi had a trade market up on Giannis earlier this week and was offering a spread on his team’s Friday night game.
The NBA asked for the regulation of prediction markets that offer contracts on games in May 2025.
In an unprecedented move, NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo announced Friday on the social media site X that he’s a shareholder of a trading exchange that offers sports event contracts.
“The internet is full of opinions,” the Milwaukee Bucks star wrote. “I decided it was time to make some of my own. Today, I’m joining Kalshi as a shareholder.
The nine-time All-Star and 2021 NBA champion will partner with Kalshi at live events and in marketing.
As an NBA player, he’s forbidden from trading on NBA markets, Kalshi announced, citing its insider trading policy.
“Giannis is a legend,” said Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour said in a statement. “He’s exactly the type of long-term partner we want to align our growing brand with, and we couldn’t be happier he’s on board.”
Giannis’ team was listed as a 1.5-point underdog on Kalshi against Indiana in a game that had received more than $90,000 in trading volume on the same day of the announcement. Kalshi even has a page involving Giannis, with contracts on nine active markets.
Earlier this week, Kalshi had a market posted on whether The Greek Freak would be traded before the NBA’s deadline and to which team. He ultimately remained with the Bucks.
Gray area
According to the NBA’s 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement, players can have passive investments under 1% in sports betting companies, but they are not allowed to own, operate, or manage sportsbooks. Kalshi falls into a unique category.
Kalshi is federally regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), allowing it to offer outcome contracts on sports in all 50 states. However, the trading exchange has run into several legal roadblocks in states with legal, regulated sports betting. Massachusetts recently won a court decision to keep Kalshi from operating there, but a temporary restraining order has yet to be implemented.
Nevada is also trying to keep prediction markets out of its jurisdiction and is in a lengthy court battle with Kalshi, which argues that it can’t be regulated by states and it offers contracts, not wagers.
NBA request
The league has not yet issued a statement on Giannis’ agreement with Kalshi. In May 2025, however, the NBA asked the CFTC to provide a regulatory framework for single-event games after Kalshi started offering moneylines and spreads on the league’s contests.
“If the CFTC does ultimately decide to permit the continued offering of sports event contracts, we encourage it to close this gap and to adopt a comprehensive regulatory and oversight framework analogous to those governing state sports betting markets, and to impose meaningful limitations on the continued expansion, via self-certification, of these markets into ever more exotic and narrow event propositions,” the NBA wrote in a letter to the federal agency.
The league has experienced multiple betting scandals over the last number of years. Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is facing federal illegal gambling charges after he was arrested in October for allegedly taking part in a 2023 scheme.
Ex-Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter was banned from the NBA after he manipulated playing time to help a group of bettors win player prop bets in 2024. Porter is currently awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 07: James Harden #13 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of Team Durant speak during the first half against Team LeBron in the 70th NBA All-Star Game at State Farm Arena on March 07, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers the first time partially because he wasn’t able to recruit a co-star to Northeast Ohio. Sixteen years later, James might find himself on the other end of the equation.
Former Cavalier and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins said on a recent episode of the Road Trippin’ Show that the new backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden is ready to recruit James back to Cleveland for next season.
“My sources told me that Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are ready, are starting to push to go and recruit LeBron James this offseason,” Perkins said. “My sources tell me that as soon as James Harden got on the phone, got around the team, the initial was, ‘We’re about to make this run, we’re about to go all out. We want LeBron James.’”
Kendrick Perkins says sources told him Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are already recruiting LeBron back to the Cavs 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/L4KdfTbZ1x
Whether or not James returns next season remains to be seen. However, if what Perkins is saying is true, it’s good to see that the Cavs backcourt is bought into this team.
What we do know is that Harden wanted to come to Cleveland. He waived his partial no-trade clause to be here. And, Mitchell is excited to play with him.
We’ll see how that group pairs on the court before worrying too much about how they sell other players on joining them.
With pitchers and catchers now teetering on the edge of reporting, and with a number of definite changes over the month since we last checked in, I figure it was a good point to update the expected roster. So here are the players I currently expect to be present, when the team takes the field in Dodger Stadium on March 26. Changes from the previous edition are in bold.
Starting rotation
Merrill Kelly ($20m)
Ryne Nelson ($3m)
Brandon Pfaadt ($3.4m)
Eduardo Rodriguez ($21m)
Michael Soroka ($7.5m)
No changes here since last time. There is still the dangling and oft-floated possibility of Zac Gallen returning to the team. While there would be some irony to this, the pitcher having declined a hefty qualifying offer from the team at the start of the off-season, I don’t see it happening, unless Gallen comes insanely cheap. The team has its starting rotation, and won’t be bumping Soroka to very expensive long-relief. That aren’t actually short in rotational depth, with the likes of Cristian Mena, Kohl Drake and Dylan Ray – and that’s just the ones currently on the 40-man roster. You can never have too much pitching, true. But Zac simply doesn’t seem to fit the team’s need.
Bullpen
Ryan Thompson ($3.95m)
Kevin Ginkel ($2.725m)
Taylor Clarke ($1.55m)
Kade Stroud
Andrew Saalfrank
Juan Morillo
John Curtiss
Drey Jameson
This was, almost universally, the area of the team seen as needing most help. So far, it appears Mike Hazen is mostly content to wait for reinforcements in the shape of, probably, first A.J. Puk, and then Justin Martinez. However, the addition of Clarke and the trade earlier in the week for Stroud should be helpful, and push some lesser arms into lower-leverage situations. That does now feel like five of the (likely) eight bullpen slots for Opening Day are accounted for. That’s a clear improvement on the three we had locked down, when we checked in last month.
As before, the remainder of the positions could be anyone, and will likely be up for grabs in spring training. Keep an eye on the non-roster invitees: there’s a good chance one or two end up at the back of the bullpen. Jonathan Loaisiga is one to watch, and if Derek Law is healthy and back to anything like his 2024 form, he has the experience to be a significant asset to the Arizona bullpen. I’d currently be inclined to pencil Curtiss as the long reliever – though he’s not on the 40-man roster, there will be spots opening up. He performed well for the D-backs, with an ERA and FIP around four. Almost half of his outings (13 of 30) saw John going more than three outs too.
While the free-agent pickings remaining are increasingly scant, I do note that Jalen Beeks is one of the names still available at the time of writing. If we’re going to re-unite with a free-agent pitcher from the 2025 D-backs, Beeks seems more likely than Gallen. He was both effective and durable, and at a cost of $1.25 million, Jalen was reasonably priced as well. I’m a little surprised he hasn’t been signed by anyone. Perhaps we have a gentleman’s agreement in place with Beeks, but the team are waiting until the IL becomes available, and 40-man roster spots open up, to announce it officially. /adjusts tin-foil hat.
Starting line-up
Catcher: Gabriel Moreno ($2.55m)
First base: Carlos Santana ($2m)
Second base: Ketel Marte ($15m)
Shortstop: Geraldo Perdomo ($6.25m)
Third-base: Nolan Arenado ($5m)
Left field: Jordan Lawlar
Center field: Alek Thomas ($1.96m)
Right field: Corbin Carroll ($10.62m)
Designated hitter: Pavin Smith ($2.25m)
The D-backs made 84 errors last year, the vast majority (77) coming on the infield. That’s a drastic increase over the total errors in both 2023 (56) and 2024 (62). While errors are an unreliable stat, the more advanced metrics also show a clear downturn in Arizona’s defense in 2025. It was no secret it was going to be a focus this winter, and the addition of Arenado and Santana should help get things going back in the other direction. It’s interesting, because early in the off-season, Hazen was speaking about keeping things in-house: “I feel like we have more options internally, position player-wise, to solve some of our issues that we may have defensively and offensively.”
After the trade of Alexander, Hazen also confirmed that while Lawlar will still see some work in the infield this spring, “I think the majority of his work is gonna come in the outfield.” That’s presumably to allow him to fill in left field while the team waits for the return of Lourdes Gurriell. However, that need may not be as long as initially suspected. Last month Hazen said the outfielder “was well ahead of schedule” in his rehab from ACL surgery, though wouldn’t be drawn on a specific date. The original expectation was 9-10 months from the procedure, which works out to around late June. Less than that would certainly be helpful, though how effective he’ll be is also an issue. As discussed earlier, Ryan Waldschmidt could be another option.
Santana and Smith would form a natural platoon at first, but Santana definitely has the greater defensive reputation, while Smith is the better bat. So we could end up seeing both in the line-up on the same day. We don’t really have any obvious DH candidates otherwise: last year, it was mostly Smith, plus Randall Grichuk, with Marte and Adrian DelCastillo seeing time there too. If we don’t want to overtax Gurriel when he comes back, he could play there against left-handed pitching.
Bench
James McCann ($2.75m)
Tim Tawa
Jorge Barrosa
Adrian Del Castillo
The usually well-informed John Gambadoro says that the team “will be looking trade/free agency for a Blaze Alexander replacement – someone who can play 3B/2B. Could also be looking for LF help with Blaze’s departure.” Certainly, that makes sense, since Blaze’s departure does leave the bench looking a little thin. McCann is obviously there as catcher, and Tawa offers a lot of positional flexibility (can he play two positions simultaneously?). But Barrosa still has no bat, while DelCastillo has virtually no professional experience at any other position bar catcher, and as a left-handed bat does not platoon well with Smith as designated hitter.
So I would not be at all surprised if there are indeed further moves to come at the back end of the roster. Exactly what that will be, and whether the cost will be in salary or prospect capital, is uncertain. And speaking of which…
Payroll
I’m going to skip the detailed math from last time, regarding players on the IL, pre-arbitration candidates, etc. and go straight to the Fangraphs figure , which currently has the team at $173 million. That compares to a closing figure last year of $188 million. The team did say they wanted to cut payroll, but technically $187,999,999 would do that. So they still have almost $15 million to spend, right? Uh… Probably not: and that’s another reason why I doubt Gallen will be here. There may be room for some more free-agent spending, such as on Beeks. But we have absolutely no idea how much, if any, is left.
Rather than going all-in immediately, Hazen may also want to keep some resources back, and see how the season progresses. If things are going well, then he can look to take on the salary of a rental at the trade deadline. It’s hard to be sure what would count as “going well”. Yes, we will be getting reinforcements for the pitching staff, in Corbin Burnes, Puk and Martinez, who might help in the second half. But how players perform on their return from Tommy John is never certain. Expecting everyone to go right back to pre-operation form is likely an optimistic assumption.
So, there we go. I’ve no doubt things will change further between now and Opening Day. But I definitely feel things look more solid than they were a month ago. What do you reckon? Who would you change? See you in the comments…
Both the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings remade their rosters at the trade deadline, and now the division rivals will face off tonight.
The Clippers flipped James Harden into Darius Garland. While the Kings brought in Garland’s former teammate, De’Andre Hunter. But my Clippers vs. Kings predictions are based on the old guard having a big impact in this game.
Those and more NBA picks for this Pacific Division clash set to tip off at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, February 6.
Clippers vs Kings prediction
Clippers vs Kings best bet: DeMar DeRozan Over 16.5 points (-120)
There are plenty of new faces in new places in this matchup, but I’m betting on an old face who has found the fountain of youth recently.
Sacramento Kings veteran DeMar DeRozan has been on one of his classic heaters lately. He’s averaging 23.4 points over his last five games, topping the 30-point plateau twice in that span.
The Los Angeles Clippers defense has regressed a bit lately, surrendering 122 points or more in three of their last four games, and they still rank 21st in defensive rating for the season.
DeRozan’s point total is a modest 16.5, which is a number we can attack.
Clippers vs Kings same-game parlay
The Kings traded for Hunter because they’ve been so bad defensively. They rank 29th in defensive rating this season. But he won’t help in the paint where they allow the second-most points per game.
That has me looking at John Collins. The Clippers’ power forward is averaging 16.4 points over his last 15 games, topping 16.5 points eight times over that stretch.
I’m expecting both teams to get buckets in this one, so the Over looks like a solid add to this SGP.
Clippers vs Kings SGP
DeMar DeRozan Over 16.5 points
John Collins Over 16.5 points
Over 222
Our “from downtown” SGP: Buckets in bunches
We are going to see more scoring than oddsmakers expect in this Pacific Division matchup.
Clippers vs Kings SGP
DeMar DeRozan Over 16.5 points
Domantas Sabonis Over 14.5 points
John Collins Over 16.5 points
Brook Lopez Over 9.5 points
Clippers vs Kings odds
Spread: Clippers -3.5 | Kings +3.5
Moneyline: Clippers -170 | Kings +145
Over/Under: Over 222 | Under 222
Clippers vs Kings betting trend to know
The Clippers have hit the moneyline in 17 of their last 23 games for +12.75 Units and a 27% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Kings.
How to watch Clippers vs Kings
Location
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Date
Friday, February 6, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Clippers vs Kings latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama circuit judge didn’t rule immediately following Charles Bediako’s lawsuit hearing against the NCAA on Friday, clearing a path for the 7-footer to continue to play.
The Crimson Tide travel to rival Auburn on Saturday.
County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet said he would have a ruling “soon” but did not provide one by the end of the business day. Bediako is expected to keep playing under a temporary restraining order that allowed him to join Alabama in the middle of the season despite questions regarding his collegiate eligibility.
The 23-year-old Bediako is averaging 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in four outings. Alabama is 2-2 in those contests.
Attorneys for both sides — Bediako and the NCAA — argued their cases Friday. Bediako sued college basketball’s sanctioning body in an effort to regain eligibility despite leaving Alabama for the NBA draft in 2023, signing a two-way NBA contract and playing the last three seasons in the developmental G League.
Bediako spent two seasons (2021-23) at Alabama, averaging 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, and helped the Crimson Tide make the NCAA Tournament twice. He wasn’t selected in the 2023 draft, but he played for the Motor City Cruise in the NBA’s G League as recently as mid-January.
His lawyers argued that Bediako remains within his five-year college eligibility window. The NCAA denied Alabama’s initial petition, and NCAA President Charlie Baker and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey have made it clear they are opposed to Bediako’s reinstatement.
Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats said Friday that, regardless of the outcome of the case, Bediako will be allowed to remain on scholarship and work toward a college degree.
