Houston Mallette said he’s prepared to do all the dirty work for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Whether it’s rebounding, diving for a loose ball, setting a pick — the things that aren’t necessarily glamorous, but necessary for a winning team — he sees that as his role.
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“I put my life on the line,” Mallette said following No. 4 seed Alabama’s 90-65 win over Texas Tech on Sunday to earn a Sweet 16 matchup with No. 1 seed Michigan. “I love my teammates. There’s a verse in John that says, ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,’ and that’s what I want to be on the court. That’s all I care about.”
In that game, though, Mallette’s biggest contribution was actually scoring. The senior came off the bench to hit five 3-pointers and finish with 15 points (he did also add eight rebounds). It was his highest point total since a Nov. 25 game against UNLV. Also in the win over Texas Tech, Latrell Wrightstell scored 24 points — his second-highest point total this season. Together, they helped Alabama reach the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight year.
The two have also risen up to be spiritual leaders on the team this season. They are both outspoken about their faith any chance they get to speak to media.
“We have a real big foundation in our faith with the Lord Jesus Christ,” Wrightsell told TNT Sports after the win over Texas Tech. “He’s always with us. He protects us. He guides us through all of this. Through His path and His leading, we’re here right now today and we’re moving on to the Sweet 16, so I’m just thankful and I’m blessed.”
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But they’re just as vocal in the locker room and in private when cameras aren’t around. Toward the end of the regular season, Wrightsell and Mallette spoke in front of a team Bible study about their faith journey and how God had worked in their lives.
“None of us wanted that night to end,” team chaplain Scotty Hollins recently told On SI. “They were just sharing their hearts and talking about their gratitude for what God had done and what God was doing through their lives and through our team.”
The weekly Bible study was initially organized by Hollins and Dre McLean, another team chaplain, earlier in the season. The group that started gathering quickly grew and began convening in the athletes’ dining hall. As the season progressed, Galatians 6:9 became sort of a life verse for the group. The verse reads, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
For both Wrightsell and Mallette, that verse is especially meaningful after they both suffered season-ending injuries last season. They weren’t sure if they’d be able to play or be fully healthy for their final year of college basketball.
“I talk about this with Trelly all the time — it’s not ‘could,’ it’s not ‘may,’ it’s ‘will,'” Mallette told On SI, referring to the verse. “The word ‘will’ in the Bible is important, like you will 100% reap a harvest if you do not give up. That means God does have something for you in your life. It may not be basketball-related at all, but God is going to show you His love and show you His plan.”
They both learned a lot about patience while they were forced to sit with injury. The story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery before rising to save others (Genesis 37-50), helped provide a Biblical lesson for them to cling to during that season.
Wrightsell played three seasons at Cal State-Fullerton, and Mallette spent three at Pepperdine before they both transferred to Alabama — Wrightsell before the 2023-24 season and Mallette the following year. They met and bonded even before Mallette transferred and they’ve been close since.
“Every Thursday, when we met throughout the year, we would just talk,” Mallette told On SI. “It’s helped keep me centered, it’s kept Trelly centered, it’s kept everybody on the team centered.”
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Head coach Nate Oats, who has been open about his own faith in God, said the best part of this faith-centered approach on the team is how it’s been player-led.
“That’s how it needs to be, and those two guys have done a good job,” he said when asked about Mallette and Wrightsell in a press conference prior to the Texas Tech game. “… I just hope I can keep coaching these guys a long time because I think they’re about the right stuff. It’s great that they’ve been able to have influence within the team that way.”
That was apparent last week, when star guard Aden Holloway was arrested for possession of marijuana right before the NCAA Tournament began. As the team huddled up to end a practice ahead of the tournament, Mallette asked to pray over the team and the situation.
“They really know Him, and they have a relationship with the Lord,” Hollins said about Mallette and Wrightsell. “I wouldn’t be overstepping by saying He’s not just a part of their life, He is their life.”
Alabama and Michigan tip off at 7:35 p.m. ET Friday on TBS.
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