Ever wonder how Texas coaches target and land the best recruits? Think recruiting is easy? Try following UT women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer’s nationwide pursuit of McDonald’s All-Americans Jordan Lee and Justice Carlton.

Lee, a UT freshman, can’t stop laughing about it now. But there was a time the 6-foot guard couldn’t believe how hard Schaefer, 63, recruited her as a rising high school senior.

Lee calculated she played 44 club basketball games between her junior and senior year of high school in Stockton, Calif. This is just the summer months alone, she said. And these tournaments are literally scattered all over the national map.

“A member of the staff, a member from Texas, never missed a single one,” Lee said Wednesday. “And if Vic came, he was always the first one on the baseline. Some tournament directors were actually thinking he was opening the gym if not for his big Texas gear.”

Schaefer’s favorite phrase is “It takes what it takes.” If he had to open a gymnasium at 6 a.m. in July to get a recruit, he would. If it means taking unlimited selfies, he’ll do that, too.

Rori Harmon’s megawatt smile is back and so is the energy running through Texas women’s basketball

After rebounding from an ACL tear in December, Harmon ran a 6:05 mile this preseason. The Horns are now running toward the Women’s Final Four.

“I would say my favorite memory, we were at Section 7 (tournament) in Arizona, and he was, again, the first to arrive on the baseline,” Lee said. “And he, like, puts his phone up in the sky. He’s about the same age as my dad, so I’m thinking he’s putting his phone up to get better reception.

“And two hours later, I see it’s the angle, and he sends me a selfie of me warming up like pregame shooting,” Lee added while laughing. “To this day, it’s my favorite photo because I look to the side, and I’m like what is he doing? It’s a selfie. And all my questions are answered.”

Sorry, Duke, Lee’s No. 2 choice. Too bad, Florida State and North Carolina. Lee came to Texas.

Justice Carlton liked UT’s family atmosphere

Justice Carlton, a 6-foot-1 forward from Katy, had a similar story. The Texas freshman had an idea how the recruiting process would go since her mother played at Baylor.

“He was at every game, every live period,” Carlton said. “He would text me before (NCAA contact) periods are over. And told me that he was going to be at my games. You know, he stayed very persistent. He let me know that he was going to be there and that his whole staff and Texas was very interested in me.”

Why did Carlton ultimately pick Texas?

“Being close to home, family orientation, and I like that he has his daughter on his staff,” Carlton said. “And that he brought his staff with him from Mississippi State. They’re just a really tight-knit group, and that was something I really appreciated.”

Said Schaefer: “Justice is the most physical high school kid I’ve ever seen.”

Texas’ next target: No. 1 recruit Aaliyah Chavez

Schaefer has turned the Longhorns into national championship contenders because of his relentless focus for passionate defense and turning opponents’ miscues into easy transition buckets. But to do that, you need blue-chip athletes.

The latest target on his radar is Aaliyah Chavez, the nation’s No. 1-ranked recruit from Lubbock. Chavez visited the Horns last weekend and was on the football field with Schaefer and women’s players prior to the game. Texas rolls out the burnt orange carpet for all recruits, and Chavez was no exception.

Per NCAA rules, Schaefer is not allowed to talk about recruitable athletes with reporters until they sign with the school. But they talk, text and direct message the athletes — a lot. Here’s an inside tip: if the head coach or staff member isn’t contacting you every single day, you probably aren’t No. 1 on their board.

The relationships are formed over time. In basketball, that means following athletes to countless summertime club travel tournaments all over the landscape. Coaches show up wearing their school colors and plunk themselves down in the most visible spot possible. It’s a universal trick.

That’s exactly how Texas volleyball coach Jerritt Elliott and his staff landed a commitment from Henley Anderson, an outside hitter from Dripping Springs considered the No. 1 recruit in Texas for the class of 2026. Elliott or associate head coach Erik Sullivan attend every one of Anderson’s games for Austin Skyline Volleyball during her under-16 club season.

Schaefer is no different.

“It means a lot, because a lot of coaches during your process talk about them wanting you, and he always told me it’s a sacrifice when he’s there,” Lee said. “He’s missing an opportunity for someone else, whether it’s recruiting or whether it’s being here with his team.

“So I just felt that not only was I was a want, but I was a need, because I felt so much of a priority during my process.”