Charles Bediako Bio
Charles A. Bediako Jr. is a Canadian professional basketball player who most recently played as a center. Standing 7 feet tall and weighing around 225 pounds, he has built his career around interior defense, rebounding, and shot-blocking. After playing college basketball for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2021 to 2023, he spent several seasons in the NBA G League before signing with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League in 2026.
Bediako gained early recognition as a consensus four-star recruit and a top high school center in his class. He earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2022 and represented Canada in multiple FIBA youth tournaments, including the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, where he helped his country win a bronze medal. He holds dual American and Canadian citizenship and is of Ghanaian descent.
Early Life and Background
Charles A. Bediako Jr. was born on March 10, 2002, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a family with strong athletic ties, he developed an early interest in basketball, often training alongside his older brother Jaden, who also pursued the sport competitively. His Ghanaian heritage and Canadian upbringing shaped his identity as a dual citizen who later represented Canada on the international stage.
As a young player, Bediako’s height and mobility made him a natural fit for the center position. His family environment, with siblings who also played organized basketball, helped him build the work ethic that would later define his career. He moved through several prep programs to refine his game and gain exposure against top competition.
Path to Basketball
Bediako began his high school career at Ridley College in St. Catharines, Ontario, in 2018, playing alongside his brother Jaden. He transferred to Andrews Osborne Academy in Willoughby, Ohio, for his junior year in 2019, then finished his prep career at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. As a senior during the 2020-21 season, he averaged 13.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game and was selected for the 2021 Jordan Brand Classic.
Regarded as a consensus four-star recruit and one of the top centers in the 2021 class, Bediako committed to play college basketball for Alabama on April 6, 2021, choosing the Crimson Tide over offers from Duke, Michigan, Texas, and Ohio State. That decision launched his path to one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball.
Charles Bediako Career
Alabama Crimson Tide (2021-2023)
As a freshman during the 2021-22 season, Bediako averaged 6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game for the Alabama Crimson Tide. His shot-blocking presence and mobility around the rim earned him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team, signaling his potential as a future pro prospect.
In his sophomore year of 2022-23, Bediako remained a key interior contributor, averaging 6.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. On March 31, 2023, he announced that he would enter the NBA Draft pool while maintaining his college eligibility, then formally declared for the draft on May 24, 2023, after attending the NBA G League Elite Camp and completing pre-draft workouts with several teams.
Austin Spurs (2023-2024)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, Bediako joined the San Antonio Spurs for the 2023 NBA Summer League. He was named to the Spurs’ training camp roster on October 2, 2023, and his deal was converted into a two-way contract on October 23. A torn meniscus limited his early availability, and he was waived by San Antonio on December 29.
Bediako never appeared in a regular-season game for the San Antonio Spurs but played 11 games with the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League, averaging 7.7 points and 6.9 rebounds in 19.0 minutes per contest. On March 7, 2024, he rejoined the Austin Spurs for the remainder of the 2023-24 NBA G League season.
Grand Rapids Gold (2024-2025)
In July 2024, Bediako joined the Orlando Magic for the 2024 NBA Summer League. He signed with the Denver Nuggets on October 8, 2024, but was waived on October 16. He then joined the Grand Rapids Gold for the 2024-25 NBA G League season.
Bediako appeared in 50 games for the Grand Rapids Gold, averaging 9.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per contest. His increased production and consistency made him one of the more reliable big men in the G League that season.
Motor City Cruise (2025-2026)
On September 17, 2025, Bediako signed with the Detroit Pistons. He was waived by Detroit on October 17 and subsequently joined the Motor City Cruise for the 2025-26 NBA G League season. His NBA G League contract was terminated on January 27, 2026, as he pursued another chapter in his career.
Scarborough Shooting Stars (2026-Present)
On May 6, 2026, Bediako signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. The move marked his return to professional basketball in Canada and added a new chapter to his career path.
Alabama Second Stint and NCAA Eligibility Case (2026)
In January 2026, Bediako became the center of a high-profile eligibility case when he attempted to return to Alabama after time in the NBA G League. After the NCAA denied his reinstatement, he filed a lawsuit and a Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge issued a temporary restraining order allowing him to practice and play for the Crimson Tide during the 2025-26 season.
Between January 24 and February 7, Bediako appeared in five games for Alabama, helping the team go 3-2 over that stretch. On February 9, 2026, his temporary restraining order expired and a motion to play out the rest of the season was denied, ending his second stint with the program.
Playing Style and Strengths
Bediako is known for his interior defense, length, and shot-blocking ability, with a 7-foot-3 wingspan that allows him to protect the rim and contest shots at a high level. He is a reliable rebounder on both ends of the floor and has shown steady improvement as a scorer in the paint. His combination of size, mobility, and shot-blocking instincts makes him a classic backline anchor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Bediako’s career are his selection to the 2021 Jordan Brand Classic, his SEC All-Freshman Team honor in 2022, and his bronze medal with Canada at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. His 2026 NCAA eligibility case also drew national attention as a rare legal challenge to long-standing amateurism rules.
Charles Bediako Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Bediako comes from a family with deep basketball ties. His brother, Jaden Bediako, played college basketball for Santa Clara and Seton Hall, giving Charles a familiar training partner from a young age. His sister, Jada Bediako, plays college basketball for Marquette, continuing the family’s tradition in the sport.
Personal Life
Charles A. Bediako Jr. holds dual American and Canadian citizenship and is of Ghanaian descent. He is currently not married and has no publicly known children. He has continued to split his time between basketball commitments in the United States and Canada.
2025 Season Performance
Bediako entered the 2025 calendar year coming off his strongest G League campaign with the Grand Rapids Gold, where he averaged 9.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks across 50 games. He signed with the Detroit Pistons in September 2025 and joined the Motor City Cruise for the 2025-26 NBA G League season, continuing to develop as an interior presence and rim protector.
His role with the Motor City Cruise was cut short in late January 2026 when his contract was terminated, allowing him to pursue a return to Alabama and later a move to the Scarborough Shooting Stars. Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, his professional pathway remained focused on earning a stable NBA roster spot while contributing as a high-level G League big man.
