As Alabama heads into the Sweet 16, players and coaches say some of the team’s strongest chemistry this season was built away from the court — around a Thursday night Bible study that became a steady part of the program’s life.
Team chaplains Scotty Hollins Sr. and Dre McClean began a Bible study at the beginning of the season, before senior guards Latrell Wrightsell and Houston Mallette became central voices in those gatherings, helping shape a culture that has steadied Alabama through a season that hasn’t lacked pressure.
“I think it’s great. I think it brings the camaraderie with the team,” coach Nate Oats said. “The stuff they learn with that is a lot more important than the basketball stuff I teach them, when you think about life.”
According to Hollins, the team met every Thursday night throughout the season. The study eventually moved into the athletes’ dining hall, where its weekly attendance grew.
That growth has made a difference because Alabama’s season has demanded more than talent. Wrightsell and Mallette both entered the year after major injuries cut short the previous season. Earlier this month, the team also dealt with uncertainty after guard Aden Holloway’s arrest on marijuana charges. Hollins said the Bible study gave players something steady when everything else felt less certain.
“They really know Him, and they have a relationship with the Lord,” Hollins said. “I wouldn’t be overstepping by saying He’s not just a part of their life, He is their life.”
One verse became especially important to the group: Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
For Mallette, one word in that verse kept landing with force.
“I talk about this with Trelly all the time — it’s not ‘could,’ it’s not ‘may,’ it’s ‘will,’” Mallette said. “The word ‘will’ in the Bible is important, like you ‘will’ 100% reap a harvest if you do not give up. That means God does have something for you in your life. It may not be basketball-related at all, but God is going to show you his love and show you his plan.”
As the season moved forward, the study expanded. Hollins said Wrightsell and Mallette helped set the tone, along with Preston Murphy Jr. and walk-on Klark James. Oats said the fact that players took ownership made the impact stronger.
“It’s great when all that stuff is player-led,” Oats said. “That’s how it needs to be, and those two guys have done a good job. I just hope I can keep coaching these guys a long time because I think they’re about the right stuff. It’s great that they’ve been able to have influence within the team that way.”
Center Aiden Sherrell said that influence has shaped the team’s identity.
“We’ve got a lot of guys who are from different schools and different programs, and we just brought them into our culture,” Sherrell said. “There are core values that we have as a team, and faith plays a big part for all of us. We can all collaborate with that.”
Hollins said humility has been a major theme, especially through lessons on John 15:5. Mallette said his own leadership has been shaped by the example of Jesus. He has “AGAPE” tattooed on his arm as a reminder of God’s unconditional love.
“I think the greatest leader ever is Jesus Christ,” Mallette said. “He loved everybody. That’s the way I’ve tried to lead. That’s the kind of impact that I’ve wanted on my brothers and everybody around me. I want people to know I genuinely love them.”
For Hollins, that love is what defines the team most clearly.
“These brothers really love each other,” Hollins said. “They care about each other, they’re selfless. When one guy hurts, they all hurt, we all hurt. When one guy wins, we all win. That really communicates who this team is.”
Now Alabama is headed to the Sweet 16 with a chance to keep its season going. Inside the program, players say the bigger story is the bond that has held the group together.
“I think we all use that as motivation to just be grateful for the opportunity because you never know when it’s taken away,” Wrightsell said. “For us to be able to be on this stage is a blessing that we can give all of our glory to the Lord. I’m just happy to be here.”
