| Charles Bediako | |
| Position: | Center |
| Height Ft: | 7 |
| Height In: | 0 |
| Weight Lbs: | 220 |
| League: | NBA G League |
| Team: | Grand Rapids Gold |
| Number: | 27 |
| Birth Date: | 10 March 2002 |
| Birth Place: | Brampton, Ontario, Canada |
| High School: | |
| College: | Alabama (2021–2023) |
| Draft Year: | 2023 |
| Career Start: | 2023 |
| Years1: | 2023–2024 |
| Team1: | Austin Spurs |
| Years2: | 2024–present |
| Team2: | Grand Rapids Gold |
| Highlights: |
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Charles A. Bediako Jr. (born March 10, 2002) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Bediako began his high school career at Ridley College, playing alongside his brother Jaden.[1] As a junior, Bediako transferred to Andrews Osborne Academy.[2] Bediako transferred to IMG Academy for his senior season. He averaged 13.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game.[3] Bediako was named to the Jordan Brand Classic roster.[4]
Bediako was a consensus four-star recruit and one of the top centers in the 2021 class. On April 6, 2021, he committed to playing college basketball for Alabama over offers from Duke, Michigan, Texas and Ohio State.[5]
As a freshman, Bediako averaged 6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.[6] He was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.[7]
On March 31, 2023, Bediako announced he was entering the NBA Draft pool and signing with an agent while maintaining his eligibility. On May 24, 2023, Bediako announced he had decided to forgo his remaining collegiate legibility and persist in the NBA draft.[8]
Bediako completed pre-draft workouts with the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, and Toronto Raptors.[9]
Bediako competed in the NBA G League Elite Camp in Chicago from May 13–14, 2023. However, he did not earn an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine. At the Elite Camp, Bediako was measured at 6 foot 10 without shoes and weighed 223.4 pounds. He also recorded a massive 7-foot-3 wingspan.[10]
After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, Bediako joined the San Antonio Spurs for the 2023 NBA Summer League[11] and on October 2, 2023, he signed with them.[12] On October 23, his deal was converted into a two-way contract.[13] On December 29, he was waived by the Spurs after suffering a torn meniscus.[14] He didn't play for San Antonio, but made 11 appearances with the Austin Spurs, averaging 7.7 points and 6.9 rebounds in 19.0 minutes.
On March 7, 2024, Bediako rejoined the Austin Spurs.[15]
In July 2024, Bediako joined the Orlando Magic for the 2024 NBA Summer League[16] and on October 8, he signed with the Denver Nuggets.[17] However, he was waived on October 16[18] and on October 28, he joined the Grand Rapids Gold.[19]
Bediako has competed internationally for the Canada men's national under-19 basketball team. He averaged 1.8 points and 2 rebounds per game in the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship as Canada finished second in the tournament.[20] In the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup, Bediako averaged 3.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as Canada finished fourth in the tournament.[21] In the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, Bediako averaged four points and 2.9 rebounds per game, helping Canada win the bronze medal.[22]
Born in Canada, Bediako is of Ghanaian descent.[23] His brother Jaden plays for the Seton Hall basketball team. His sister Jada plays for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets women's basketball team.
|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22| style="text-align:left;"| Alabama| 33 || 30 || 17.8 || .692 || .000 || .612 || 4.3 || .7 || .6 || 1.5 || 6.7|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23| style="text-align:left;"| Alabama| 37 || 37 || 20.7 || .659 || .000 || .355 || 6.0 || .6 || .6 || 1.8 || 6.4|- class="sortbottom"| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career| 70 || 67 || 19.3 || .673 || .000 || .488 || 5.2 || .7 || .6 || 1.7 || 6.6