University of Houston Athletics
Justice Carlton Sidelined for 2026-27 Season
9/19/2026 5:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Junior forward Justice Carlton to miss upcoming season due to knee injury
HOUSTON – University of Houston Women's Basketball junior forward Justice Carlton will miss the 2026-27 season after she suffered a left knee injury during the preseason, Head Coach Matthew Mitchell announced Saturday.
"Life presents unexpected challenges, and Justice has certainly been faced with a major one," Mitchell said. "In her short time at Houston, Justice has impacted our basketball program significantly for the better. Through her outstanding summer and preseason preparation, she established herself as a respected leader with a high basketball IQ that elevates everyone around her. Justice responded to this challenge with immense perspective, determination and positivity that has been a powerful lesson for all of us."
"While her role this season will be different from what we hoped, Justice remains a vital member of our team, providing invaluable leadership and wisdom. She is highly motivated to help us win. We will support her every step of the way and have no doubt she will return to the court stronger than ever."
ABOUT JUSTICE CARLTON
Carlton joined the Cougars in June following two seasons at Texas. The forward contributed significantly to the Longhorns' back-to-back Final Four appearances, the 2026 SEC Tournament title, and the 2024-25 SEC Regular Season Championship. During her sophomore year, she started 28 of 38 games and averaged 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds while shooting 53% from the field.
Carlton helped guide Texas to its first SEC tournament title against South Carolina, scoring 15 points and shooting 6-for-8 from the field, earning a spot on the SEC All-Tournament Team.
During her freshman season, Carlton appeared in 34 games and started once, helping Texas secure the 2024-25 SEC Regular Season title. She averaged 5.0 points per game and shot 49.3% from the field. She also averaged 2.6 rebounds per game.
On December 3, 2024, Carlton was named the USBWA National Freshman of the Week and SEC Freshman of the Week after averaging 15.3 points and 5.0 rebounds over three games at the Gulf Coast Showcase. The forward scored a career-high 30 points on 12-of-15 shooting to help the Longhorns secure a 94-59 victory against Butler. Carlton shot 61.3% from the field during the entire tournament. In the tournament's championship game against No. 10 West Virginia, Carlton scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds to help secure the title.
Carlton received her second SEC Freshman of the Week award on December 23, 2024, after averaging 18 points and 7.5 rebounds over two games that week. Against La Salle, Carlton scored 17 points and pulled down six rebounds. She also had four steals, two assists, and one block. A few days later, against South Dakota State, Carlton led the Longhorns with 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting and added nine rebounds.
A native of Katy, Texas, Carlton attended Seven Lakes High School and was a five-star recruit. She was the No. 12-ranked player in the 2024 class by ESPN. She was a McDonald's All-American and received All-State honors, as well as Offensive Player of the Year and Naismith All-America Honorable Mention.
She is the daughter of Kacey Carlton (Moffitt), who played at Baylor and professionally in Europe and Asia for seven years, as well as with the WNBA's Detroit Shock and Miami Sol. Carlton has three sisters: Madison, Londyne and Jameson.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and joining the Full Court Press, which provides support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
– UHCougars.com –
"Life presents unexpected challenges, and Justice has certainly been faced with a major one," Mitchell said. "In her short time at Houston, Justice has impacted our basketball program significantly for the better. Through her outstanding summer and preseason preparation, she established herself as a respected leader with a high basketball IQ that elevates everyone around her. Justice responded to this challenge with immense perspective, determination and positivity that has been a powerful lesson for all of us."
"While her role this season will be different from what we hoped, Justice remains a vital member of our team, providing invaluable leadership and wisdom. She is highly motivated to help us win. We will support her every step of the way and have no doubt she will return to the court stronger than ever."
ABOUT JUSTICE CARLTON
Carlton joined the Cougars in June following two seasons at Texas. The forward contributed significantly to the Longhorns' back-to-back Final Four appearances, the 2026 SEC Tournament title, and the 2024-25 SEC Regular Season Championship. During her sophomore year, she started 28 of 38 games and averaged 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds while shooting 53% from the field.
Carlton helped guide Texas to its first SEC tournament title against South Carolina, scoring 15 points and shooting 6-for-8 from the field, earning a spot on the SEC All-Tournament Team.
During her freshman season, Carlton appeared in 34 games and started once, helping Texas secure the 2024-25 SEC Regular Season title. She averaged 5.0 points per game and shot 49.3% from the field. She also averaged 2.6 rebounds per game.
On December 3, 2024, Carlton was named the USBWA National Freshman of the Week and SEC Freshman of the Week after averaging 15.3 points and 5.0 rebounds over three games at the Gulf Coast Showcase. The forward scored a career-high 30 points on 12-of-15 shooting to help the Longhorns secure a 94-59 victory against Butler. Carlton shot 61.3% from the field during the entire tournament. In the tournament's championship game against No. 10 West Virginia, Carlton scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds to help secure the title.
Carlton received her second SEC Freshman of the Week award on December 23, 2024, after averaging 18 points and 7.5 rebounds over two games that week. Against La Salle, Carlton scored 17 points and pulled down six rebounds. She also had four steals, two assists, and one block. A few days later, against South Dakota State, Carlton led the Longhorns with 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting and added nine rebounds.
A native of Katy, Texas, Carlton attended Seven Lakes High School and was a five-star recruit. She was the No. 12-ranked player in the 2024 class by ESPN. She was a McDonald's All-American and received All-State honors, as well as Offensive Player of the Year and Naismith All-America Honorable Mention.
She is the daughter of Kacey Carlton (Moffitt), who played at Baylor and professionally in Europe and Asia for seven years, as well as with the WNBA's Detroit Shock and Miami Sol. Carlton has three sisters: Madison, Londyne and Jameson.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Basketball by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and joining the Full Court Press, which provides support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
– UHCougars.com –
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