Pearl spoke about Charles Bediako's return to college basketball and whether Auburn would try something similar
to college basketball has led to debates around the country about player eligibility and professionals being able to play college basketball. Bediako, who has not played for Alabama since 2023, was granted a temporary restraining order which makes him immediately eligible to play again.
Steven Pearl weighed in on the topic during his press conference on Thursday and was asked whether or not Auburn would consider trying to bring back a former player who could still have eligibility remaining. Pearl jokingly said that NBA players Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler would come back, but went on to say that a situation like Bediako’s at Alabama is not in the plans at Auburn. “I’d have a really hard time looking at the parents of the kids on in our current program and saying, ‘All right, this is why we’re doing this,’” Pearl said. “If I brought back Sharife Cooper, I gotta tell Tahaad and Travis that, ‘Hey, we’re being bringing back a former pro. He’s gonna be eating into your minutes and your production.’ Or if I brought back Jabari Smith, you know, ‘Sebastian, Miss Kareema, Sebastian’s been having a great year for us, but,’ you know what I mean? And then on top of that in recruiting, how does that affect recruiting down the road?” Pearl didn’t fault Alabama and head coach Nate Oats for trying to bring Bediako back, citing what the rules currently are in college basketball. “Right now, college basketball coaches are having to operate under the rules and the guidelines that we’ve been given,” Pearl said. “If you can get a judge to file a restraining order against the NCAA, you are within your right to do so. Doesn’t make it right. It doesn’t make it wrong. “Baylor and Alabama are the two examples, and Louisville is as well, they’re doing what they think is in the best interest of their program in order to win basketball games. Like I said, doesn’t make it right, doesn’t make it wrong. Here’s the deal, in this sport, you have the right to change your mind and change your opinion as the season goes on.” Despite saying all of that, Pearl said he thinks it’s “crazy” and “so outside of the scope of what we’ve done historically.” While it’s not something that Pearl plans on doing at Auburn, he outlined a situation in which he could understand why Alabama is doing it. “If they’ve had the conversations of, ‘Hey, listen, we’re going to bring in the best talent, regardless of position in order for us to win.’ If that expectation has been set, then what they’re doing, there’s no problem with what they’re doing,” Pearl said. “I feel like if you have those honest conversations of, we’re going to bring in the best players regardless of position and regardless of circumstance in order for us to win, if they come in there knowing that, then I would have a little more understanding of the situation.”on Wednesday that Alabama plans to play Bediako in its game against Tennessee on Saturday "if all goes smoothly over the next two days." The restraining order from Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge James H. Roberts will remain in effect by law for 10 days or until a hearing can take place. A hearing on the preliminary injunction is currently Jan. 27. Auburn’s next game is also this Saturday as the Tigers will face No. 16 Florida in Gainesville. Auburn and Alabama will face each other twice this season, with the first matchup taking place on Feb. 7 in Auburn.Peter Rauterkus is an Auburn Sports Reporter for AL.com covering football, basketball and all things Auburn sports. He joined AL.com in July 2024. Prior to joining the sports staff at AL.com, Peter spent time...
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