Nate Oats and Houston Mallette, a guard for Pepperdine, caught the first big fish of the transfer portal. Mallette, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Alameda, California, shot 41.5% from outside the arc and averaged 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
Mallette told 247Sports, “I committed to Alabama because I loved what everyone and the coaching staff said and talked about.” Based on my style of play and their style of play, I believe there will be a fantastic fit. I have a great deal of faith in Coach Oats and the entire coaching staff. I’m eager to get there since Coach Preston Murphy is probably the staff member with whom I communicate the most.