As we await a final verdict on Charles Bediako’s future as an Alabama basketball player, a surprise voice has come out against Bediako retaining eligibility for the remainder of the season: SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.

In a court filing Thursday - just one day before he’s set to go in front of a local judge - Sankey filed an affidavit which clearly states where he stands on the Bediako situation.

“I respectfully ask the Court to uphold the NCAA eligibility rules challenged in this case, which are essential to the integrity of college sports, to the educational mission they serve, and to the opportunities they provide for current and future student-athletes.”

While it remains to be seen exactly what it means for Bediako’s future, Sankey officially becomes the loudest voice to speak out against his eligibility, and the harm that it could do for the entire college sports ecosystem. It’s an especially important voice given, that as commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, one of his flagship schools (Alabama) clearly benefits from Bediako playing.

We should get more clarification on Bediako’s future Friday, when his injunction hearing takes place in a Tuscaloosa County courtroom.

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While Bediako - a former G-Leaguer, who signed three different NBA contracts - fights for his eligibility, there is a separate case that is picking up steam.

That of Amari Bailey.

By now you probably know that Bailey was a member of UCLA’s 2022-2023 team, before deciding to go pro after one season. Three years removed from college and with no tangible basketball future to speak of, he is now trying to return to college, and take things to a level even Bediako couldn’t: Bailey is trying to become the first player who has appeared in an actual NBA game to return to college.

The twist: Well, it’s not what you think as the market for Bailey doesn’t appear as robust as expected. Why is that?!

He appears set to visit… Grand Canyon, a first-year Mountain West school who has been Division I for less than a decade.

Reminds me of the Mark Jackson “what happened to the game I love"?” meme.

Just 22 months ago, Amari Bailey played 22 minutes for the Charlotte Hornets in the final game of the 2024 NBA regular season. He finished with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.

He played one year at UCLA and was drafted No. 41 overall. His visit to Grand Canyon University is tentatively set for Wednesday, Feb. 11, for the game against New Mexico.

Bailey will likely need an NCAA waiver or some sort of court injunction and if this does somehow end up happening, this sport is seriously broken.

The Cougars lost to Oklahoma State - a team they should have easily beaten - Wednesday night, and the home crowd in Stillwater also directed vulgar chants at them.

Between BYU basketball and football games, it seems like this happens quite often, but it should not be okay.

Head coach (and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, aka Mormon) Kevin Young addressed it after the game, even pointing out that his team only has four or five “Mormons” on it anyway.

Some HUGE games this weekend—

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