Based on recent reports, the judge who ruled in the case regarding Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako's eligibility is indeed a major donor to the University of Alabama.
Judge's Identity: Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge James "Jim" H. Roberts.
Donor Status: Reports indicate that Judge Roberts and his wife are "Alliance" level donors to the University of Alabama athletics program, with between $100,000 and $249,999 in lifetime donations.
The Ruling: Judge Roberts granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the NCAA, allowing Charles Bediako, a former Alabama player who had been in the G-League, to immediately rejoin the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team.
Additional Connections: In addition to being a donor, Judge Roberts is a "frequent guest lecturer" at the University of Alabama Law School. His wife, Mary Turner Roberts, is an attorney who has represented former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles.