Houston Mallette became the first transfer to commit to Alabama Basketball for the 2024-25 season, making his announcement in mid-March, before the Crimson Tide had played in the NCAA Tournament.
Mallette joined a significantly altered roster, as it was anticipated that Alabama would lose several key players from the previous season, a prediction that proved accurate. Kris Parker, Rylan Griffen, Davin Cosby, Mohamed Wague, Nick Pringle, and Sam Walters all entered the transfer portal, while Aaron Estrada completed his eligibility.
There were also uncertainties surrounding Mark Sears and Grant Sears regarding their use of extra eligibility, and freshman forward Jarin Stevenson had impressed enough during the NCAA Tournament to catch the attention of NBA scouts as one of the youngest prospects in the 2024 class.
Given the roster’s instability, Nate Oats and his staff quickly saw the value in Mallette’s shooting skills, and Alabama’s fast-paced offensive style was appealing to him. Neither Mallette nor Oats anticipated that the roster would eventually be this stacked.
Both Sears and Latrell Wrightsell chose to return, bolstering the backcourt. Alabama also acquired co-AAC Player of the Year Chris Youngblood and Auburn transfer Aden Holloway through the portal, along with signing four-star guard Labaron Philon late in the recruiting cycle.
This left Mallette with an unclear role, and he took some time away from the team this summer as a result. However, he has returned to practice, eager to earn his spot in the rotation.
With Youngblood sidelined due to injury for at least the first month of the season, Mallette now has a chance to showcase his skills and secure a place in the lineup.
He will wear No. 95, recognizing his role on the team. While he may not frequently handle the ball, he can capitalize on open three-point opportunities, where he excels.
Mallette has a career three-point shooting percentage of 37%, hitting 41% of his 145 attempts last season. He was among the top shooters in the country in fast-break situations, averaging an impressive 1.38 points per possession in transition, placing him in the 89th percentile.
Standing at 6-foot-5 with good length, Mallette has the potential to be a strong wing defender, a crucial factor for his playing time. With a competitive roster, Oats can emphasize defense, knowing that a player not performing defensively can be quickly replaced by someone eager for minutes.
During his junior year, Mallette averaged 14.7 points per game and had a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He played a significant role on the ball at Pepperdine, demonstrating an ability to create his own shot. However, with so many skilled ball handlers at Alabama, it’s likely he won’t have much time handling the ball.
On the court, Mallette will primarily serve as a floor spacer, often stationed in the corner to take advantage of open looks generated by drives from Sears, Philon, Holloway, and others.
Once Youngblood returns, Mallette’s role may become less defined. Nevertheless, having a seasoned and accurate shooter available on the wings is a valuable asset, as long as he remains engaged during potential periods of limited playing time.
