Houston Mallette's medical redshirt approved by NCAA, clearing way for 2025-26 return

Alabama guard Houston Mallette has had a medical redshirt approved by the NCAA, according to a report from On3’s Joe Tipton. He will return for the 2025-26 season.

Mallette transferred to Alabama from Pepperdine following the 2023-24 campaign, but his contributions for the Crimson Tide were limited. He appeared in just six games, all between December and January.

Prior to his injury-riddled season, though, Mallette was expected to be a major contributor. He chipped in 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game during his final season at Pepperdine. If he can get back to that form, he’ll be an excellent addition for Alabama going forward.

Mallette played in six games last season, averaging 3.2 points per game and shooting 50% from downtown, but had to be shut down for the season due to recurring knee issues. Coach Nate Oats had sounded confident he could get a waiver for a medical redshirt just a few weeks ago.

“Houston Mallette, we submitted all the paperwork to the SEC for his medical redshirt, we don’t anticipate there being any issues there,” Oats said. “He’s in with (trainer) Clarke (Holter) about every day in the training room, he’s come along really well.”

Mallette had the luxury of traveling with Alabama during some of the postseason, something that will further help integrate him with the team despite the lost playing time during his senior season. He opened up on what the year meant to him in an exclusive interview with BamaOnLine.

“I just want to preface this by saying God is great, and I’m very thankful for Him,” Mallette told BamaOnLine. “I’m very blessed to be in this position I’m in. I had an incident that happened at my house about two weeks ago, and I suffered some significant injuries to a couple of my body parts – my face, my neck, my shoulders. 

“It’s been hard. My family came. They were there with me. My girlfriend came, she helped me. But the recovery has been difficult, but I’ve gotten to the point where I’m able to travel again, which I’m very thankful for. I’m just really excited to be back with the team, and I’m blessed to be back in this position.

“I just want to thank the University of Alabama, Dr. Buettner, Dr. Cain, Clarke Holter, the whole coaching staff and especially the medical staff. The medical staff at UAB, they were amazing, and they really helped me these past couple of weeks.”

Oats also reiterated how important to the team Houston Mallette will be going forward. He had nothing but positive things to say.

“He’s one of the best kids I’ve ever coached in my life,” Oats said. “I want him with the program. He wanted to be with us. He just health-wise wasn’t able to make the first two rounds. Although he’s back with us, he’ll be on the bench with us.”

On3’s Charlie Potter also contributed to this report.