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Steven Pearl sends strong message on Alabama bringing back former professional player

Related Topics: Charles Bediako

The Auburn coach says the player being allowed to play college basketball again is a slippery slope.

Auburn Tigers head coach Steven Pearl coaches against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their Southeastern Conference game at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday January 17, 2026. | Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Auburn head basketball coach Steven Pearl is much like his father, Bruce, in the fact that he doesn’t hesitate to speak about what’s on his mind.

That was the case on Thursday, when asked about rival Alabama bringing back Charles Bediako, a player who entered the 2023 NBA Draft and who had a judge in Tuscaloosa issue a temporary restraining order allowing him to suit up for the Crimson Tide once again despite playing professionally.