Charles Bediako

Charles Bediako
Bediako with Alabama in 2023
No. 27 – Grand Rapids Gold
PositionCenter
LeagueNBA G League
Personal information
Born (2002-03-10) March 10, 2002 (age 22)
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Listed height7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeAlabama (2021–2023)
NBA draft2023: undrafted
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023–2024Austin Spurs
2024–presentGrand Rapids Gold
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Canada
FIBA Under-19 World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Latvia Team
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
Silver medal – second place 2018 Canada Team

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.

High school career

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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]

Recruiting

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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]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Charles Bediako
C 		Brampton, ON IMG Academy (FL) 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Apr 6, 2021 
Star ratings: Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 88
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 39  247Sports: 32  ESPN: 35
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Alabama 2021 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  • "2021 Alabama Crimson Tide Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved August 20, 2021.

College career

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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]

Professional career

[edit]

Austin Spurs (2023–2024)

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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.[14]

On March 7, 2024, Bediako rejoined the Austin Spurs.[15]

Grand Rapids Gold (2024–present)

[edit]

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]

National team career

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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]

Personal life

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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.

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021–22 Alabama 33 30 17.8 .692 .000 .612 4.3 .7 .6 1.5 6.7
2022–23 Alabama 37 37 20.7 .659 .000 .355 6.0 .6 .6 1.8 6.4
Career 70 67 19.3 .673 .000 .488 5.2 .7 .6 1.7 6.6

References

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  1. ^ "A WARM WELCOME FOR TEAM CANADA AND THE HOMETOWN BOYS!". Ridley College. June 8, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  2. ^ Goul, Matt (October 24, 2019). "Growing pains over for ISA at Andrews Osborne?". The Plain-Dealer. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  3. ^ Fletcher, James (April 6, 2021). "Alabama basketball lands commitment from 5-star center Charles Bediako". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  4. ^ Silva, Edilson (May 23, 2021). "Canadians Caleb Houstan & Charles Bediako Selected To 2021 Jordan Brand Classic". BasketballBuzz.ca. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  5. ^ Thompson, David (April 6, 2021). "Duke target Charles Bediako commits to Alabama". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  6. ^ Windham, Katie (February 19, 2022). "Freshman Bediako Growing into Physicality of College Game". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  7. ^ "Men's Basketball All-SEC Teams & Awards Announced". SECSports.com (Press release). Southeastern Conference. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  8. ^ "Alabama's Bediako officially declares for NBA Draft". WVUA 23. May 24, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  9. ^ Fletcher III, James (June 6, 2023). "Former Alabama center Charles Bediako slated to workout for nearly half the NBA ahead of draft night". On3.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  10. ^ Byler, Blake (May 22, 2023). "Alabama Center Charles Bediako Remaining in NBA Draft". SI.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  11. ^ "SAN ANTONIO SPURS 2023 NBA 2K24 SUMMER LEAGUE ROSTER". NBA.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  12. ^ Garcia, Alex (October 2, 2023). "Spurs Announce 2023 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Garcia, Alex (October 23, 2023). "Spurs Announce 2023-24 Opening Night Roster". NBA.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Shirley, P. (December 29, 2023). "Spurs Waive Charles Bediako". NBA.com. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  15. ^ "Austin Spurs Acquire Charles Bediako". OurSportsCentral.com. March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  16. ^ "2024 Orlando Magic Summer League Player Analysis". NBA.com. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  17. ^ "NUGGETS SIGN WILL RICHARDSON, ANDREW FUNK, AND CHARLES BEDIAKO". NBA.com. October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  18. ^ Gauruder, Dana (October 16, 2024). "Spurs' McDaniels Among Wednesday's Cuts". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  19. ^ "Gold Finalize 2024-25 Training Camp Roster". OurSportsCentral.com. October 28, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  20. ^ "Charles BEDIAKO". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  21. ^ "Charles BEDIAKO". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  22. ^ "Charles BEDIAKO". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  23. ^ "8 players with African roots make it into NBA 2023 draft list". Nairobi News. June 23, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
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