The high of a Final Four run is often the catalyst for a championship program’s ascent, but for the University of Texas women’s basketball team, the aftermath of their recent success has brought an unexpected wave of instability. In a sudden shift that underscores the volatility of the modern collegiate era, Texas women’s basketball loses key players to transfer portal after Final Four run, leaving head coach Vic Schaefer with a significant rebuilding project in the midst of a competitive peak.
Seven players are departing the program this offseason. While the loss of starting point guard Rori Harmon, center Kyla Oldacre and reserve forward Teya Sidberry is the result of exhausted eligibility, the remaining four departures are voluntary. The entry of several core contributors into the transfer portal has stripped the Longhorns of much of their offensive depth and perimeter scoring, forcing a roster reset just as the program appeared to have reached the elite tier of the sport.
Among the most jarring departures is sophomore Jordan Lee. As the team’s second-leading scorer, Lee was the primary engine for the Longhorns’ outside game, averaging 13.2 points per game. Her volume from beyond the arc was unmatched on the roster. she attempted 207 three-pointers—more than double the attempts of any other teammate—shooting 34.8% from deep.
Analyzing the Roster Exodus
The loss of Jordan Lee is compounded by the departures of Justice Carlton, Aaliyah Crump, and Aaliyah Moore. While Moore’s exit comes after a season sidelined by knee surgery, the losses of Carlton and Crump represent a significant blow to the team’s future trajectory and immediate versatility.
Aaliyah Crump entered the program as a highly touted prospect, ranked as the No. 5 player in the class of 2025 by 247Sports. Expected to be a transformative perimeter threat, Crump’s freshman campaign was derailed by a stress fracture in her foot that forced her to miss 15 games. Upon her return, she struggled to find consistent minutes during the intensity of SEC play, ultimately averaging 7.9 points, and 2.3 rebounds across 24 appearances.
Justice Carlton, a key member of the 2024 recruiting class, provided a steadying presence in the rotation. She started 28 of 38 games and proved her mettle in high-pressure moments, scoring 15 points in both the SEC Tournament championship victory over South Carolina and the Elite Eight win over Michigan. Over the course of the season, she averaged 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting an efficient 53% from the field.
In a climate where Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals often drive roster movement, Carlton took to social media to clarify that financial incentives were not the motivation for her departure. Expressing a sense of disappointment, she noted that she had fully intended to spend her entire four-year collegiate career in Austin.
“I really wanted to play at Texas all 4 years of college, I never imagined I’d transfer,” Carlton wrote. “But some things just don’t work, it sucks but I’ll figure it out!”
The departure of Aaliyah Moore further thins the frontcourt. Moore had been a reliable piece of the Longhorns’ rotation over four seasons, starting 56 of 89 games. However, a recurring knee injury—which led to a medical redshirt in 2023 and limited her to 19 games the following year—eventually required surgery that kept her off the court entirely this past season. She enters the portal with one year of eligibility remaining.
Impact of Departures on Longhorns’ Production
| Player | PPG | RPG | Key Stat/Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Lee | 13.2 | — | 207 3-point attempts |
| Justice Carlton | 8.5 | 4.0 | 53% Field Goal Percentage |
| Aaliyah Crump | 7.9 | 2.3 | No. 5 recruit (Class of 2025) |
| Aaliyah Moore | — | — | 56 career starts |
The Path to Rebuilding
The current state of the roster leaves Coach Schaefer in a precarious position. Of the team’s six top scorers from the previous season, only All-American forward Madison Booker returns. Booker, who led the team with 18.9 points per game, remains the cornerstone of the program. She is joined by Breya Cunningham (7.7 points, 5.6 rebounds) as the only remaining starters, alongside backup guard Bryanna Preston.
To fill these voids, Schaefer is turning toward a combination of the transfer portal and an elite incoming recruiting class. Texas has secured the top-ranked recruiting class in the country, featuring five players, four of whom are ranked in the top 20 by 247Sports.
Leading the newcomers is Addison Bjorn, a 6-foot-2 shooting forward ranked No. 12 nationally. Bjorn is regarded as a versatile defender with high-level conditioning, capable of guarding multiple positions. She is joined by other high-profile commits including No. 13 Isi Etute—who flipped her commitment from UCLA—No. 14 Bri Crittendon, No. 20 Aaliah Spaight, and No. 58 Amalia Holguin.
The sudden roster turnover fundamentally alters the expectations for these incoming freshmen. While they were expected to contribute, they may now be required to step into starting roles immediately. Brandon Clay, Director of Scouting for 247Sports, noted that while the freshmen will play larger roles, the coaching staff is expected to remain aggressive in the transfer portal to find “Power Four-level starters” to stabilize the lineup.
The challenge for Texas is to maintain the momentum of a program that has reached three Elite Eights and two Final Fours in six seasons. After a heartbreaking loss to UCLA in the Final Four—a team that eventually captured the national championship—the Longhorns are chasing their first national title since 1986. Whether they can bridge the gap between a depleted veteran core and a talented but inexperienced freshman class will define the next era of Vic Schaefer’s tenure.
The Longhorns will continue to evaluate available talent in the transfer portal over the coming weeks as they finalize their roster for the upcoming season. Official updates on novel additions are expected to be released via the university’s athletic department as signings are formalized.
Do you think the Longhorns can maintain their elite status with such a young roster? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
