The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Women’s Basketball Freshman Q&A: Jordan Lee
07.18.2024 | Women's Basketball
Lee, a 6-0 guard from Stockton, Calif., is the No. 9 ranked recruit in the 2024 class by ESPN and is a McDonald's All-American. Lee won a gold medal this summer with USA Basketball with the U18 national team. 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 excelled 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.
Hometown: Stockton, California
Intended major at UT: Human Biology
Why Texas?
I would say the big three for me was that I had a great opportunity to find out a lot of information about human biology as a major. I want to be a doctor so that opportunity and that route seemed not only possible, but they had a lot of people who have done it and know what it takes to be successful. The second thing I looked for was my relationship with my head coach. Coach Vic made it a priority to come to my games and I really appreciated that. The last thing was my relationship with the incoming freshman. I really feel like there is a great family atmosphere at Texas.
What are fans going to see from you on the court?
On the court, I bring a very versatile skill set. I have a super big emphasis on defense. I am a huge believer and my coaches have always instilled in me that defense creates offense. And ultimately, I am a three level scorer, and I will fill any role that the team needs to win at any point of the season.
What makes you excited about this upcoming season?
Everyone is really dedicated to their craft. I feel like that is such a big transition coming from high school and my first time seeing other people that are spending equally or more time in the gym working on their skill set and improving their craft, which is really special. For me to have running partners and shooting partners is a first, so it is really exciting to see people that are that dedicated.
Favorite Restaurant in hometown
Thai Me Up. There's a lot of good Thai food and small Mexican food trucks that are really good.
Favorite sport outside of basketball
I definitely love watching track and field.
What is your background in track and field?
I am retired now, but I actually ran track longer than I played basketball. I ran the 800 first, then I got into the mile around seventh grade. Then, I did both events, as well as the 4x4, all throughout high school. We had a lot of fun. We won a couple of section titles both individually and as a team.
Basketball or athlete hero
I love Skylar Diggins' journey, especially seeing her win gold and how her whole WNBA journey has been and seeing her on the Storm. Watching her always do her thing has been very inspiring.
Favorite Food
I would probably say a fettuccini alfredo with chicken or tacos.
Do you cook?
A little bit. My goal here is to make one new thing a month. If I can do that, I will be very, very happy.
Do you know what you are going to try to cook first?
I think I am going to start first with the things I like the most. So probably, preparation for ground beef for tacos, and then probably some mac and cheese casserole. Then, I need some staples, too, but I need to figure out what they are.
Favorite TV Show/Movie
My favorite TV show currently is All American: Homecoming, but for my all time, I would say I really like the beginning seasons of Outer Banks.
When did you start playing basketball?
I started playing basketball when I was eight years old. It was around second or third grade.
What got you into basketball?
Well, both of my parents played basketball. Both of them actually played in Canada. Then, my dad started coaching, but he stopped when me and my sister were born. When I was around 10 or 11, he got back into coaching high school and AAU.
Tell me about your sister.
So, Sophia is two years older than me. We played together for two years in high school. The first year was shortened to like nine games because of Covid, and then the second year was close to a full year with around 30 games. It was definitely one of the best things I experienced. It brought us so close, and we developed a bond with all of the girls on the court that year. It really made it an amazing year, chemistry wise and how successful we were. Bonding that way with someone who is that close to you is just unforgettable.
Who is the most inspirational person in your life?
Definitely my dad. I didn't really appreciate this when I was younger, but my mom works from home, and my dad is retired and has been throughout all of my high school years. It has been tough in some moments, but there was never a day, practice, extra session, run that he wasn't there or encouraging me in some capacity. His influence and what he has taught me has played a pivotal role in how I approach everything, from basketball to my work ethic to the classroom.
Did your dad or your mom ever coach you?
Yes, my dad coached me from third grade to the start of my freshman year. Then, I have exclusively trained with my dad throughout every year of basketball.
Favorite places to go in Austin.
No favorite places yet, but I have visited Austin like seven times in the past year and I have gone to the pizza place, Via 313, every time. Of course, being from California, I love Dutch Bros, even though the closest one in Austin is 15-20 minutes away. And a breakfast place I have been to a bunch of times that has amazing hot chocolate is Kerbey Lane. Those are my three spots so far, but I need to develop my tourist locations, but those are good food spots.
Hobby or something you like to do outside of basketball
I am obsessed with anything that has to do with skincare, and I also like to do my own hair. So, like experimenting with styles, I also braid my sister's hair. It takes a lot to practice and actually get good, especially because there are so many different styles, like ways and angles to braid your hair. But, those are definitely the two.
Is there anything you want Longhorn fans to know about you?
I think most people find this interesting because I love hot chocolate, but I actually don't like regular chocolate. That's probably my best fun fact.
Favorite Music
My playlist is a little bit all over the place right now. I would say my go-to pregame is something that is more up tempo. I listen to a lot of NBA Youngboy, Gunna, and Lil Baby is in there a little bit. Whenever I am not in that sort of mood, I listen to a lot of PARTYNEXTDOOR and Bryson Tiller. I would say I listen to 60% up tempo and 40% slower, not necessarily R&B, but slower based music.
Pregame superstitions
I normally put on the same playlist four to six hours before a game that only has Youngboy on it. There are like 300 songs on it, and I only listen to that before a game. Last high school season, I had a Dutch Bros before every single game, so we will see if I still do that with the distance from here to Dutch Bros. But that was a superstition last year.
