Texas Longhorns forward Justice Carlton (11) is guarded by Kentucky forward Teonni Key (7) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 game at Dickies Arena on Saturday, March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
When it came time to narrow down her choice of college basketball destinations, Justice Carlton had a pretty good idea where she would transfer.
First, though, she wanted to have some fun.
Younger sister Madison had recently signed with the University of Houston women’s basketball team and was eager for the sisters to reunite on the court for the first time since their days at Seven Lakes. Being closer to the family’s Katy home to spend time with sisters Londyne and Jameson was also important.
Article continues below this ad
So, Carlton booked a visit to… Miami.
“I kind of tricked my sisters,” Carlton said this week after UH officially announced the 6-foot-1 forward would join the program after two seasons at Texas. “They got nervous when I took my visit to Miami. They were really scared.
“They were all super supportive of me. Maddie really wanted me to play with her and go to school with her, which is something I made sure was OK with her before I committed. It’s important to me that she still gets her limelight in college. She was like, ‘Oh, my God, absolutely.’ It was a family decision, for sure.”
Seven Lakes sophomore forward Madison Carlton, left, and senior forward Justice Carlton share a hug after Wednesday’s 81-60 win over Tompkins at Tompkins High School. The sisters combined for 42 points, 18 rebounds and 11 blocks in the win.
Dennis Silva II
Family aside, the question had to be asked: Why UH? Why go from a program that made two consecutive Final Four appearances to one that was 1-17 in the Big 12 in coach Matthew Mitchell’s first season?
Article continues below this ad
“I’d love to be a part of what Houston is building,” Carlton said.
Carlton said she felt comfortable with Mitchell and the coaching staff after she observed UH’s recruitment of Maddie, a 6-foot-2 incoming freshman forward.
UH checked off several other boxes: For starters, UH offered a coaching staff “that believes in me,” Carlton said. In Mitchell, Carlton found an “experienced SEC coach I was looking for,” with a track record of player development and a turnaround of Kentucky into a perennial NCAA Tournament team.
And UH offered Carlton the freedom to be used in a variety of roles and “not be boxed in” regardless of her position.
Carlton’s arrival represents a major coup for the Cougars, who underwent a roster overhaul this offseason in advance of Mitchell’s second season. She’s also the type of player — a McDonald’s All-American, homegrown talent and No. 12 recruit in the Class of 2024 — that UH has been unable to attract during the program’s current 15-year NCAA postseason drought.
Article continues below this ad
“Her talent. her skill, her energy are absolutely foundational,” Mitchell said. “I just think Justice has the opportunity to be one of the best players in the Big 12.”
Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer talks to forward Justice Carlton (11) during the NCAA Final Four game against UCLA at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman
Turns out, Carlton’s decision to leave Austin was “pretty easy.” A starter on UT’s Final Four team this season, the disgruntled forward never saw eye-to-eye with coach Vic Schaefer.
“My actual decision to leave Texas was pretty easy,” Carlton said. “They made it pretty easy.”
Asked what made the decision easy, Carlton added: “Part of it was just the inconsistency piece. I just did not really enjoy my time that much there. I loved all my teammates, and I have great relationships with all of them. The decision was pretty easy.”
Article continues below this ad
Carlton started 28 games this season and averaged 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds. She had a 15-point performance against South Carolina to earn a spot on the All-SEC tournament team.
“She’s got a really, really polished offensive game,” Mitchell said. “We are going to work hard to help her sharpen her skills and strength them, but she is ready to roll.”
Mitchell said Carlton’s talent and versatility make her capable of being a go-to option for the Cougars, who this week signed Esmeralda Enriquez, a 5-foot-8 guard from Eastern Arizona who was the JUCO national player of the year. UH also added Kaelyn Hamilton, a transfer guard from San Diego State who was the Mountain West’s Sixth Player of the Year last season.
“Justice is such a versatile player profile we’ve had success with,” Mitchell said. “There’s no spot on the floor she can’t score from — 3-point, her midrange game is strong, she is just so tough around the basket. She’s got an incredible skill around the basket to use her strength to score against bigger players.
“What I think is interesting for her, she wanted to really prove that she is a go-to type player. That she is not just a screener or ball-reverser, but that she can actually make winning plays and when the chips are down and the ball is in her hand, she can go make a play for you.”
Article continues below this ad
Another plus for Carlton: At Kentucky, Mitchell produced six WNBA draft picks, including No. 1 overall pick Rhyne Howard in 2022.
“We’ve got a good track record of developing players and helping them get to the next level and play professionally,” Mitchell said. “I think that was attractive to her.”
Ultimately, the biggest selling point no other school could offer: A chance for the Carlton sisters to again take the floor together.
“I’m really excited to be able to be there for her,” Carlton said. “I’m excited to be there for her and to play with her.”