Fox Sports Australia can reveal the Breakers are signing 6’11” American-Canadian centre Charles Bediako for the 2026-27 season.
The new signing is set to arrive in New Zealand following a high-profile NCAA eligibility saga earlier this year, bringing elite size, athleticism and a defensive presence to Gordon Herbert’s revamped roster.
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The addition would round out New Zealand’s main roster, giving the club an elite rebounder, rim protector and lob threat, while providing star point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright with a dangerous target above the rim.
Bediako is coming off a season with the Scarborough Shooting Stars in Canada’s CEBL, where he averaged 7.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 17.4 minutes across 20 appearances, while shooting an impressive 75% from the field.
Like any player, Bediako has areas of his game to improve. Free-throw shooting remains one of them, having converted 57.1% of his attempts during his time in the NBA G League. He also isn’t a floor-spacing big, but with proven perimeter shooters such as Kouat Noi and Dejan Vasiljevic already on the roster, that is unlikely to be a major concern.
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Where Bediako separates himself is on the offensive glass. Of his 602 rebounds in the G League, 37% came at the offensive end, highlighting his ability to generate second-chance opportunities. If he earns consistent minutes, he has every chance to establish himself among the league’s best rebounders.
Bediako has also represented Canada on multiple occasions, linking him with new Breakers head coach Gordon Herbert, who was appointed as Canada’s Head Coach earlier this year. Most recently, Bediako suited up in last month’s FIBA World Cup Americas Qualifiers, recording seven points, four rebounds and three blocks against Puerto Rico.
NCAA CONTROVERSY
Bediako, 24, found himself at the centre of one of college basketball’s biggest eligibility controversies earlier this year after attempting to return to Alabama, where he played between 2021 and 2023.
After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, Bediako signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs and went on to play 83 NBA G League games across the Austin Spurs, Grand Rapids Gold and Motor City Cruise.
During that span, he averaged 8.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 20.4 minutes per game while shooting 61.1% from the field
Ordinarily, competing professionally in the G League would end an athlete’s NCAA eligibility. However, amid the rapidly evolving college athletics landscape, Bediako challenged that interpretation after the NCAA denied his bid to return to Alabama.
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He subsequently filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, arguing its recent eligibility decisions had been inconsistent and unfairly restricted his ability to compete.
The case took another dramatic turn when a Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge granted a temporary restraining order, allowing Bediako to practise and play for Alabama while legal proceedings continued. The ruling was widely viewed as unprecedented and sparked significant debate across college basketball.
With the temporary order in place, Bediako appeared in five games for Alabama before it expired. His request to remain eligible for the rest of the 2025-26 season was later denied.
Across those five appearances, he averaged 10.0 points and 4.6 rebounds in 21.6 minutes per game.
Controversy aside, the Breakers appear set to add one of the biggest and most athletic frontcourt players in the NBL. Surrounded by proven scorers and playmakers, Bediako could quickly become one of the league’s most impactful interior defenders and rebounders.
With the addition of Bediako, the Breakers have now completed their main roster. However, Fox Sports Australia understands the club is still expected to add one or more development players ahead of the 2026-27 season.
PG: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (IP) / Preston Le Gassick
SG: Dejan Vasiljevic / Izayah Le’Afa
SF: Josiah-Jordan James (Import) | Carlin Davison | Reuben Te Rangi
PF: Sam Mennenga | Kouat Noi
C: Charles Bediako (Import) / Anzac Rissetto