Story by
The Tuscaloosa News
Pepperdine transfer Houston Mallette makes debut for Alabama basketball vs UNC
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Pepperdine transfer Houston Mallette makes debut for Alabama basketball vs UNC
Alabama basketball guard Houston Mallette has made his debut for Alabama basketball.
Despite questions of whether the Pepperdine transfer would make his first appearance as a Crimson Tide player in light of a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture for starter Latrell Wrightsell, Jr., the transfer portal addition was seen warming up alongside former USF guard Chris Youngblood in Dean E. Smith Center. The pair were fully dressed out compared to the street clothes they've been rocking on the court all season.
Advertisement
Coach Nate Oats announced that Mallette, an arrival from Pepperdine, would take a redshirt year ahead of Alabama's season opener against UNC-Asheville in November.
The 6-foot-5, 200 pound guard was lethal from 3-point range, ranking No. 5 in the WCC with an average 14.7 ppg, shooting 42% from the arc.
Mallette entered the SEC/ACC Challenge against the Tar Heels with 11:40 to halftime.
The University of Alabama unveiled the first banner honoring the school’s first Final Four appearance Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Coleman Coliseum. Alabama Houston Mallette (95) shoots in the three point shooting contest.
Chris Youngblood injury update: Alabama basketball player will make debut 'pretty soon'
As for Youngblood, the sharp-shooting USF former was benched while recovering from ankle surgery, anticipated to return mid-to-late December.
Advertisement
However, Oats had hope that he would make it back for the Elite Eight rematch against the Tar Heels after the loss to Oregon on Saturday.
Youngblood averaged 15.3 points per game with the Bulls with a 41.6% success rate from three-point range.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Transfer Houston Mallette makes debut for Alabama basketball vs UNC
