14.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 41.5% from three-point range. Those are the statistics that Alabama men’s basketball player Houston Mallette racked up while a junior at Pepperdine under Coach Lorenzo Romar.
While those statistics are impressive, they are hardly the most impressive aspect of Mallette. So, what made Mallette so attractive to Nate Oats and his Alabama coaching staff when Mallette entered the transfer portal?
Mallette’s pursuit of “we” and “us,” not “me” and “I” is the answer. Mallette is about the team, not himself.
This is uncommon in today’s society. Quite frankly, this is rare in general. We are all wired to serve ourselves. Only a few are courageous enough to serve others and not themselves. Mallette’s character is what defines him, and it is his character that makes him such an asset to Alabama basketball.
The narrow path is the blessed path. Those on this path will not always be rewarded in this world, but certainly will be in the next. In Alabama’s December 4 victory over North Carolina, we witnessed a little bit of Heaven on Earth, as Houston’s faithfulness in little was rewarded with blessing and honor.
Prior to Alabama’s season opener versus UNC-Asheville, Oats revealed that Alabama would redshirt Mallette, along with freshman Naas Cunningham. I am sure Mallette was frustrated. Clearly, he is an extremely talented player, evidenced by the statistics he put up over the last three years at Pepperdine. But Pepperdine isn’t Alabama, and he didn’t have players like Latrell Wrightsell, Labaron Philon and Chris Youngblood to compete with for minutes, not to mention the health limitations he experienced over the summer with his knees, an injury that he played through at Pepperdine.
As an athlete myself, I understand how much effort and dedication one puts in to attain their goals. Sitting out for the season and taking the backseat to other players is hard. I get that. I was benched for a game that I felt like I could play during my senior year of high school soccer. Honestly, I did not take it well. I automatically assumed that my coach was benching me for the season and became bitter. Truth be told, I made some mistakes that season, then injured my ankle in warm-ups while I was being shot on (I played goalkeeper) versus Hewitt-Trussville.
I responded poorly because I was insecure and knew I had played bad enough at times to warrant giving the backup goalkeeper a chance to start. I did not want to admit that and lived in denial about my performance and merit until recently. Bitterness is powerful, and I am thankful that Mallette did not give in to it. How do I know? The proof is in the pudding.
After Wrightsell tore his Achilles in a game versus Oregon, Mallette chose to burn his redshirt to help the team. Mallette is now in his final season of eligibility, sacrificing the chance to carve out a more significant role with the Tide in the 2025-2026 season, and putting his body on the line for the team. Mallette is about “we” and “us,” not “me” and “I.”
Rarely do we see this in the money-making, fame-producing world of sports where players demand the max contract, coaches leave their teams on a whim, and front offices use players and coaches until they have no more use for them. Mallette embodies Matthew 20:16, which says, “So the last will be first, and the first last.”
God exalts the humble, St. Peter tells us. Wednesday night, we witnessed God do just that. How so? Mallette scored six points on 100% shooting from the 3-point line. He played great defense, contributed to elite spacing, and lived out Oats’ blue-collar mentality. After the game, a reporter asked him why he chose to burn his redshirt.
“In my opinion, a lot of times in society, we have what’s best for me,” he replied. “But I feel like what’s best for me in my life is what’s best for the team.”
Mallette earned a well-deserved opportunity to play and made the most of his chance. Mallette may not play many minutes on this roster, especially when Youngblood returns from the injured list, but I can guarantee you that every minute he plays will be a minute worth watching. Don’t be surprised if Mallette makes some season-defining plays, especially when March Madness rolls around. Hard work pays off, and I believe that you and I will witness that in Mallette’s career and life by the success he has.
True success is not what most of us think. “[I]t would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak,” British author C. S. Lewis once said. “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Props to Mallette for not being “far too easily pleased,” desiring something greater: team over self.
The game of basketball needs people who prioritize maximum effort, continuous growth, and the selfless love that Oats preaches to his players. Mallette listens, and it shows. Number 95 is a doer, not a hearer only. My hope and great desire is to see all of us follow his lead in humility.
Joshua Butler is from Vestavia Hills, Ala., and graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Addiction and Recovery Studies. He has a wide range of writing interests including theology, philosophy, policy and sports. To contact Josh, please email joshbutler0125@gmail.com.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819news.com.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
