SEC Basketball: 10 most under-the-radar transfers for 2024-25 season

Houston Mallette, Alabama

As Alabama was preparing for its (eventual) run in the NCAA Tournament, Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide landed a commitment from Houston Mallette, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Pepperdine, marking the first commitment for the Tide in their talented portal class.

As one of the more consistent scorers on Pepperdine over the past three years under former head coach Lorenzo Romar, Mallette averaged 14.7 PPG this past season, shooting 43% from the field and 41.5% from three -- a perfect fit for Nate Oats’ up-tempo, three-point friendly system.

With Grant Nelson and Latrell Wrightsell returning alongside transfers Cliff Omoruyi (Rutgers) Chris Youngblood (South Florida) and Aden Holloway (Auburn) (and a potential Mark Sears return), Alabama is poised for another deep run, and Mallette will be an instrumental piece in 2024-25.

Zhuric Phelps, Texas A&M 

Phelps, who spent three seasons at SMU, led the Mustangs in scoring this past season, averaging 14.8 PPG while earning All-AAC Second-Team honors. Although Phelps struggled to shoot consistently from the field, shooting under 40% from the field and 21.6% from three, Phelps excels at getting to the rim, drawing contact, and scoring in transition -- something that should serve well as the off-ball guard with Wade Taylor IV running the point and Tyrece Radford out of eligibility. 

Phelps will be firmly in the mix for a starting spot and given his experience playing alongside Chuck Harris, Phelps is a seamless fit at the No. 2 spot and should have a strong season ahead in College Station.