AUSTIN (KXAN) — With two on the girls side and one on the boys, the Texas Longhorns will have quite a presence in Houston on Tuesday for the McDonald’s High School All-American games.
As part of Texas’ No. 1-ranked recruiting class according to ESPN.com, Justice Carlton and Jordan Lee will suit up for the West squad in the girls game with Tre Johnson playing for the West team in the boys game.
Carlton, a 6-foot-2 forward from Katy Seven Lakes High School, tore her ACL in the summer but recovered to play in 21 games this season, averaging 19.5 points per game and helping the Spartans to a 22-game winning streak before a playoff loss to Summer Creek. Carlton scored 20 or more points in 10 consecutive games, including the loss, and erupted for 36 points against Katy Cinco Ranch. She also had back-to-back 16-rebound games during that scoring stretch.
She’s a legend at Seven Lakes, holding seven program records including the single-game scoring record of 46 points and rebounds with 23. She’s excited to play alongside Madison Booker, Rori Harmon and the rest of the Longhorns.
MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newsletters
“Rori will be back better than ever and Madison will get to play where she wants to play,” Carlton said. “Having them and all the new recruits will be super special.”
Said Texas head coach Vic Schaefer: “Justice Carlton may be the most physical high school player I’ve seen in a long time. 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.”
Carlton is the No. 7-ranked player in the country according to ESPN.com.
Lee, a 6-foot wing from St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, California, is the No. 8-ranked player by ESPN.com and is on the Team USA roster for the Nike Hoop Summit in April. She’s one of two 17-year-olds on the roster with the rest 18 years old.
“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.”
The girls game tips at 5:30 p.m. CT from the Toyota Center on ESPN2.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 guard from the basketball factory that’s Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, is the Longhorns’ representative in the boys game. Johnson is also on the Team USA roster for the Nike Hoop Summit and will join his Lions teammates to compete in the Chipotle High School Nationals on Thursday in Brownsburg, Indiana.
He’s the No. 4-ranked player in the country by ESPN and is originally from Dallas. He played at Richardson Lake Highlands before transferring to Link Academy. He helped Lake Highlands win the UIL 6A title in 2022-23 and was Mr. Basketball in Texas last year.
The boys game tips at 8 p.m. CT. on ESPN.