Alabama men’s basketball will now have to replace three of its five starters from last season’s Sweet 16 team. At the minimum.

Center Charles Bediako is reportedly foregoing his remaining collegiate eligibility and is staying in the NBA Draft, sources told ESPN on Monday night.

The Ontario, Canada native was a blockade in the paint, picking up an All-SEC first-team defense nod after averaging 6.3 points per game (65.2 field goal %). He also was an All-freshman team selection in 2022 and was named to the All-tournament team in the 2023 SEC playoff.

“I am extremely grateful to have found a second home in Tuscaloosa. My dream has always been to play in the NBA since I first picked up a basketball. I feel that now it’s time for me to take a step towards that dream,” Bediako wrote in a social media post when he initially announced his draft consideration on March 31.

Bediako reportedly hired Daniel Green as his agent. He was invited to the G League Elite Camp, a showcase event for prospects. In recent mock drafts by ESPN and USA Today, Bediako was not among those selected.

Brandon Miller is a consensus top-three pick and Noah Clowney has been projected as a first-round selection.

Both Jahvon Quinerly and Mark Sears remain in the draft pool. They have until May 31 to return to decide whether or not they’ll follow the rest of Alabama’s Sweet 16 starting five in going pro. Alabama also lost forward Noah Gurley to graduation.

Nate Oats has hired three new assistants this offseason as Alabama has pulled in a pair of transfers in Aaron Estrada and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. Two of Alabama’s 2023 basketball commits can help fill the 7-foot gap in the frontcourt rotation in Sam Walters and Mouhamed Dioubate.

Four-star forward Papa Kante, who Oats visited earlier this spring, committed to Pitt on Monday.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].