NCAA Basketball: Analyzing 2021 5-star C Charles Bediako’s top 10 teams

Alabama Crimson Tide

Nate Oats has not had much difficulty recruiting players to Alabama either, especially from the UPlay Canada EYBL program. Forward Keon Ambros-Hylton and 5-star guard Josh Primo are joining the program this offseason and Bediako is very familiar with them both. Primo and the talented center were on the same 16U program within the AAU club, while Ambrose-Hylton played with him on Canada’s U17 FIBA World Cup event in Argentina.

The Alabama program has not had 5-star talent at the center position before and his addition would provide a new dimension to the team’s plan of attack. Although Oats up-tempo system takes Bediako out of some plays, his athleticism is still strong enough to be part of the break from time to time. Additionally, he has shown some capability as a trailing perimeter shooter on the EYBL circuit.

This is not a common shot for Bediako to rely on, but his inside presence is an area the Tide have not been able to utilize much. Last year Alabama was very thin at the position and were susceptible to giving up a large amount of shots from inside the perimeter. Oats was fortunate to have athletic and all-around guards Kira Lewis, John Petty Jr and Jaden Shackleford provide a lot of depth both on the glass and downhill defensive help for frontcourt players to neutralize disadvantages in these areas.

Bediako won’t have to worry about a lack of offensive opportunities, due to the attention of defenses on perimeter talent, but also because the Tide’s up-tempo style affords extra possessions to the offense. The looks he will receive are likely to largely be isolated for him to score one-on-one and help to quickly develop his craft. On the other end of the floor, Bediako’s versatility guarding multiple positions will largely benefit Alabama’s 253rd ranked defense.