By Mallory Mattingly
University of Alabama basketball stars Latrell Wrightsell and Houston Mallette led a Bible study which ultimately became the foundation of their team’s entire season.
On the Thursday night before Crimson Tide entered into the post-season, the basketball team gathered around a table in the athletes’ dining hall. While the rest of the room carried on like normal, the team dove into God’s word.
Team chaplains Scotty Hollins and Dre McClean initially led the study, but Wrightsell and Mallette soon took the lead.
“None of us wanted that night to end,” Hollins told Sports Illustrated of the first night the players led. “They were just sharing their hearts and talking about their gratitude for what God had done and what God was doing through their lives and through our team.”
Related: How God Intervened in the Life of This Alabama Basketball Player
“They really know Him, and they have a relationship with the Lord,” he told Relevant Magazine. “I wouldn’t be overstepping by saying He’s not just a part of their life. He is their life.”
The team turned to Galatians 6:9 as their guiding light throughout the season.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up,” the verse reads.
“I talk about this with Trelly all the time — it’s not ‘could,’ it’s not ‘may,’ it’s ‘will,’” Mallette said of the one word from the verse that he couldn’t get out of his head. “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.”
Alongside Wrightsell and Mallette, teammate Preston Murphy Jr. and walk-on Klark James helped lead the study.
“It’s great when all that stuff is player-led,” coach Nate 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.”
Both Wrightsell and Mallette are grateful to share the gospel of Christ from one of the biggest stages in college sports.
“For us to be able to be on this stage is a blessing that we can give all of our glory to the Lord,” Wrightsell said. “I’m just happy to be here.”
What started as a simple, player-led Bible study grew into a spiritual foundation that shaped not only how the Crimson Tide played but who they are becoming as young men.
Read Next: Basketball Star’s March Madness Prep Begins With Prayer
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
Share:
– Content: +4