{"id":5501,"date":"2025-11-20T12:05:41","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T12:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/texas-brihanna-crittendon-5star\/"},"modified":"2025-11-20T12:05:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T12:05:41","slug":"texas-brihanna-crittendon-5star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/texas-brihanna-crittendon-5star\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Lands 5-Star Forward Brihanna Crittendon, No. 8 in 2026 Class"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Lead:<\/strong> Brihanna Crittendon, a five-star forward ranked No. 8 in the SC Next 100 class of 2026, committed to the University of Texas on Nov. 19, 2025, selecting the Longhorns over a group that included Tennessee, TCU, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Ohio State and UCLA. The 6-foot-3 recruit brings perimeter scoring, length and mobility after a junior season at Riverdale Ridge (Colo.) in which she averaged 26.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Coming off a summer on the Power 24 circuit with Jason Kidd Select, she elevated her profile with effort on the boards and defense in addition to her shooting. Her decision gives Texas a different type of forward under coach Vic Schaefer\u2019s program and strengthens a recruiting class already featuring Aaliah Spaight (No. 20) and Amalia Holguin (No. 57).<\/p>\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Brihanna Crittendon committed to Texas on Nov. 19, 2025, choosing the Longhorns over Tennessee, TCU, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Ohio State and UCLA.<\/li>\n
  • She is listed at 6-foot-3 and ranked No. 8 in the girls\u2019 SC Next 100 class of 2026, a top-10 national recruit.<\/li>\n
  • In her junior season at Riverdale Ridge (Colo.), Crittendon averaged 26.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists, shooting 57% from the field, 33% from three and 73% from the free-throw line.<\/li>\n
  • On the summer Power 24 circuit with Jason Kidd Select, she showed increased rebounding and defensive effort that raised her recruiting stock.<\/li>\n
  • Her perimeter-oriented, face-up forward game addresses Texas\u2019 shooting and spacing needs and adds versatility to the frontcourt.<\/li>\n
  • Crittendon will need to adapt to Texas\u2019 elite defensive standards that have helped the program contend for the Final Four.<\/li>\n
  • The Longhorns\u2019 2026 class now includes No. 20 Aaliah Spaight and No. 57 Amalia Holguin; Texas remains in contention for No. 10 Addison Bjorn.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Background<\/h2>\n

    Five-star recruits like Crittendon remain pivotal in women\u2019s college basketball, where a single elite freshman can change a team\u2019s ceiling. Texas under Vic Schaefer has emphasized defensive rigor and athleticism since his arrival; the program has combined that identity with a focused push to recruit higher-rated perimeter players to improve spacing and three-point production. The transfer portal era and the growing prominence of elite grassroots circuits such as the Power 24 have shifted how prospects are evaluated, placing greater weight on summer performance and versatility. Crittendon\u2019s rise over the summer \u2014 particularly her work on the glass and on defense while maintaining scoring \u2014 fits the profile coaches now covet for immediate-impact freshmen.<\/p>\n

    The Longhorns\u2019 recruiting momentum has been notable: adding top-20 and top-60 prospects already positions Texas to reload quickly as it competes in the Southeastern Conference. For prospects like Crittendon, program culture, player development track record and institutional support for women\u2019s sports are often decisive factors; she specifically cited Texas\u2019 commitment to women\u2019s athletics as a draw. As the recruiting calendar tightens toward early signing periods and official visits conclude, programs that combine defensive identity with modern offensive spacing are most attractive to versatile forwards.<\/p>\n

    Main Event<\/h2>\n

    Crittendon\u2019s commitment announcement on Nov. 19, 2025, concluded a recruitment that featured Power Five finalists and showcased her national standing. She told reporters she found Texas\u2019 culture, coaching staff and environment to be the best fit, and that the university\u2019s investment in women\u2019s sports influenced her choice. On-court, she projects as a face-up forward: a player who can handle the ball, shoot from distance and stretch defenses while still contributing on the boards. Her junior-year efficiency \u2014 57% field-goal shooting \u2014 underlines an ability to convert in multiple scoring modes, from pull-up jumpers to finishes at the rim.<\/p>\n

    Texas coaches will evaluate how quickly she adapts to the program\u2019s defensive expectations; Vic Schaefer\u2019s teams demand high-level rotation defense, communication and effort on the glass. Crittendon\u2019s summer showing on the Power 24 \u2014 where she emphasized rebounding and on-ball defense \u2014 suggests she has the competitive instincts to make that transition. Her presence should immediately improve the Longhorns\u2019 perimeter shooting options and spacing, particularly when paired with ball-handling guards who can attack closeouts. Practically, integrating a perimeter forward will change lineups and play-calling, allowing more pick-and-pop and drive-and-kick actions that create open looks from deep.<\/p>\n

    The recruiting context also matters: Crittendon joins Aaliah Spaight (No. 20) and Amalia Holguin (No. 57), strengthening a class that can provide depth and positional flexibility. Texas\u2019 pursuit of Addison Bjorn (No. 10) remains unresolved; adding another top-10 piece would further elevate the class and create matchup nightmares for opponents. For now, Crittendon stands as a cornerstone early enrollee whose timeline for on-court impact will depend on preseason acclimation to college strength, speed and defensive schemes.<\/p>\n

    Analysis & Implications<\/h2>\n

    Crittendon\u2019s profile \u2014 size with perimeter shooting and mobility \u2014 matches a broader trend in elite women\u2019s basketball toward versatile forwards who can stretch the floor. Offensively, her 33% three-point percentage as a junior combined with efficient two-point scoring points to a player who can be schemed into high-value shot locations. At Texas, that translates into better spacing for slashing guards and post players, and creates more room for pick-and-pop actions that can exploit opposing bigs who lack mobility. If her three-point accuracy improves at the collegiate level, she could become a go-to perimeter threat within two seasons.<\/p>\n

    Defensively, the question is adaptation rather than talent. Texas demands collective defensive principles \u2014 help defense, closeouts and rebounding responsibilities \u2014 that can be taxing for incoming freshmen. Crittendon\u2019s demonstrated effort on the glass during the Power 24 summer circuit is a positive indicator; sustained commitment to team defense will determine how quickly she contributes on that end. In time, her length and agility could allow Schaefer to deploy lineups that switch smaller ball-screens and recover to rim protection without sacrificing perimeter shooting.<\/p>\n

    Recruiting momentum is another implication. Landing a top-10 player signals to other prospects that Texas is a destination for players seeking national relevance and development under a coach with a Final Four track record. That could influence the decision of remaining targets such as Addison Bjorn, sway transfers, and strengthen future recruiting cycles. However, converting high school production to collegiate impact requires staff development, tailored strength programs and a fit between player role and system.<\/p>\n

    Comparison & Data<\/h2>\n
    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Player \/ Item<\/th>\n2024-25 \/ Rank<\/th>\nKey Stats (Junior)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Brihanna Crittendon<\/td>\nNo. 8 (SC Next 100, 2026)<\/td>\n26.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.7 APG \u2014 57% FG \/ 33% 3PT \/ 73% FT<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Aaliah Spaight<\/td>\nNo. 20 (commit)<\/td>\nRecruit rank noted; position: guard\/wing (class add)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Amalia Holguin<\/td>\nNo. 57 (commit)<\/td>\nRecruit rank noted; position: forward (class add)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

    The table highlights Crittendon\u2019s statistical profile alongside the other committed prospects mentioned by Texas. Her scoring and efficiency numbers stand out among recruits and explain her top-10 national ranking. Comparing raw high-school output to projected college roles is imperfect \u2014 pace, level of competition and role all change \u2014 but the numbers underline why Texas prioritized perimeter size and shooting in this class.<\/p>\n

    Reactions & Quotes<\/h2>\n
    \n

    “Texas was everything I was looking for \u2014 the culture, the players, the staff and the environment,”<\/p>\n

    Brihanna Crittendon (commit)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    “Add in the university’s strong commitment to women’s sports, and it just felt right,”<\/p>\n

    Brihanna Crittendon (commit)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    “At 6-foot-3, Crittendon is the quintessential face-up forward in today’s game,”<\/p>\n

    Shane Laflin \/ ESPN (sports reporting)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Each of these statements frames why the commitment matters on both a personal and tactical level: Crittendon cited institutional fit and support for women’s sports, while reporting emphasized her positional fit as a modern, perimeter-oriented forward. Public reaction across social platforms and fan forums has been largely enthusiastic about Texas\u2019 continuing ability to recruit top-tier talent, though deeper assessment will hinge on in-season integration.<\/p>\n