The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Women’s Basketball signs top 2024 recruiting class
11.08.2023 | Women's Basketball
Texas staff inks two top-10 recruits in the 2024 signing class that is projected top three in the country.
AUSTIN, Texas — A projected top-three recruiting class is coming to Austin as head coach Vic Schaefer announced the addition of three future Longhorns. Justice Carlton (Katy, Texas, No. 7) Jordan Lee (Stockton, Calif., No. 8) and Bryanna Preston (Jonesboro, Ga., No. 43) make up the 2024 class.
Texas is one of two programs in the country currently that have signed three top-50 ranked recruits. On Nov. 2, Texas was ranked as the No. 1 recruiting class in the country by ESPN.Com.
This class marks the third top-10 class for Schaefer in his four years at Texas and second top-five class.
"I want to commend my staff for an outstanding job in putting together this top class," Texas head coach Vic Schaefer said. "Their hard work and commitment are second to none. Elena, Lindsay, and Blair have worked tirelessly making this class a reality. This is an impactful class that hopefully will be the face of our program for many years to come. We have addressed both the perimeter as well as the second most important position on the team which is the four or power forward position. Each of these young ladies not only possess a tremendous skill set, but they bring a toughness and competitive spirit to our program. They are winners! But I think what may be of equal importance is the character and the personality that each of these student-athletes possess. They are going to be great student athletes here at The University of Texas, great ambassadors for our university and they will help us compete at the highest level for many years to come."
Carlton, a 6-1 forward from Katy, Texas, is the No. 7 ranked recruit in the 2024 class by ESPN. Carlton averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds a game in the 2022-23 season and earned All-State honors as well as Offensive Player of the Year and Naismith Honorable Mention All-America accolades. Carlton holds seven school records at Seven Lakes including points in a game (46), points in a season (1020), rebounds in a game (23), blocks in a game (10), blocks in a season (115), career blocks (167) and single game free throw percentage (1.000, 7-of-7). Carlton's club team, Nike CyFair Elite participated in the Mamba Cup in California and was able to meet and play against Kobe Bryant's team, Mamba.
"Justice Carlton may be the most physical high school player I've seen in a long time," Schaefer said. "Her ability to finish with contact is very unusual for a high school player. She punishes defenders as she finishes in and around the rim. She's worked hard at expanding her game and can face up as well as finish with her back to the basket. Her foot work and ball handling ability will allow her to play both in our dribble drive offense and in pick and roll action. Her mother, Kacy Moffitt was a great player at Baylor and played in the WNBA and has coached her throughout her high school career. She also has a sister on her high school team that plays with her as well. Justice played for Earl Allen and Cy Fair Elite having won the National EYBL Championship a year ago in 2022. Another top 10 rated player that will be great for us here at Texas."
Lee, a 6-0 guard from Stockton, Calif., is the No. 8 ranked recruit in the 2024 class by ESPN. Lee averaged 20.1 points per game, 2.7 assists per game and 7.4 rebounds per game in the 2022-23 season and earned First Team All-State honors. Lee was a 2022-23 First Team Junior All-American and her team was the 2022-23 Norcal D1 GBB runner-up. Lee earned MVP honors at the 2022 Curry Camp. Lee also exceled in track and field as a two-time USA Junior Nationals Track and Field All-American. Lee won back-to-back 1600-meter and 800-meter state championships on the track. Lee also achieved academically at Saint Mary's high school with a 4.4 GPA and membership in the National Honor Society.
"Jordan Lee is an incredibly talented, big guard who can score at all three levels and can defend 1 through 4," Schaefer said. "Her toughness and competitive spirit on both ends of the floor are off the chart. She possesses a great basketball IQ, understands the game and is a tireless worker. She is a gym rat. She's constantly working on her game. She has a sister playing at Sacramento State and her father was an assistant coach at Pan American University. Jordan played for Armando Pazos on Jason Kidd Select and won The Select 40 Championship this past summer. She wants to be a doctor one day, and the resources that we have here at The University of Texas combined with the medical school, will prepare her for that endeavor as well."
Preston, a 5-9 guard from Jonesboro, Ga., is the No. 43 ranked recruit in the 2024 class by ESPN.
In the 2022-23 season Preston averaged 18.7 points per game, 6.7 assists per game, 3.6 rebounds per game and 2.2 steals per game. Preston earned Class 6A First Team All-State honors and the 6A Best Passer Award. Preston helped her high school team to a state championship in the 2021-22 season and runner-up finish in the 2022-23 season. Preston was the 2020-21 AJC Sports Southside Player of the Year.
"Bryanna Preston is a lightning quick guard that can play both the 1 and the 2," Schaefer said. "Her speed and quickness are what set her apart from so many. I think what impresses me more than anything is she is able to deliver passes to the right people at the right time in the right place. She has great court vision and is so unselfish. Her ability to defend 94 feet will make countless opponents uncomfortable and will remind our fans a lot of how Rori Harmon defends. Bryanna played for Lisa Normandy on FBC Legacy on the Under Armour Circuit. Her mother Kim played here in town at Crockett High School and went on to play at Southwest Texas State. Again, she will be a great player for us, and a great ambassador for this university."
