Houston Mallette was with Alabama basketball on Wednesday in Newark, N.J. as the Crimson Tide prepares for the Sweet 16. That wasn’t the case the past two weeks.

“Houston had a non-basketball-related injury that kept him at home,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said. “He was unable to travel with us for the first two rounds. He’s been with us now.”

Because Alabama flew straight from the Round of 32 in Cleveland to Newark, Mallette had to fly commercial to meet up with the team in New Jersey. Mallette hasn’t played since Jan. 8 because he’s expected to apply for a medical redshirt for this season, to play one more season of college basketball.

“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. He’s obviously not playing; he’s redshirted this year. But he’s back with the program.”

Mallette also was not with the team at the SEC Tournament in Nashville the week prior as he recovered from the non-basketball injury.

Mallette transferred from Pepperdine ahead of the 2024-25 season. He played in six games this season. His most notable performance occurred against North Dakota when Mallette scored 10 points, made two triples and grabbed five rebounds in 19 minutes.

No. 2 seed Alabama will face No. 6 seed BYU in the Sweet 16 on Thursday (6:10 p.m. CT, CBS) at Prudential Center.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for Follow him on X and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.