The tallest player to suit up in college women’s basketball is set to join Texas Tech.
The Lady Raiders on Friday announced the signing of 7-foot-1 center Stephanie Okechukwu. Okechukwu will enroll for the spring semester but is awaiting her eligibility status, according to a Tech release.
Advertisement
“Stephanie has finally arrived in Lubbock and she was worth the time, effort and teamwork that went into getting her here,” Lady Raiders coach Krista Gerlich said. “She brings an element to our team that is an instant impact. Her ability to protect the rim and alter shots will be unique to one. She has great hands and touch around the basket and clearly will provide a big inside target at the rim. She has a team-first mentality and ready to contribute in any way possible. She is a great fit for our program and culture, and we are overjoyed that she has arrived in Lubbock.
“Our staff is continuing to work with the NCAA on her initial eligibility.”
More: Texas Tech women’s basketball eyes more after prosperous 2025
Okechukwu attended high school in Japan but hails from Umunneochi, Nigeria, according to the release. Tech associate coach Erik DeRoo said the program took a “deep dive” into international recruiting in recent years. The Lady Raiders already included four international players in Gemma Núñez (Spain), Julie Nekolná (Czech Republic), Mariam Sanogo (France) and Sarengbe Sanogo (France).
Advertisement
“The international game has grown exponentially, which now provides prospects globally for us to recruit, and clearly with our current roster, it has already paid off,” DeRoo said. “The relationships built over the last two years gave us an opportunity to recruit and eventually sign Stephanie. We all know that the headlines will be highlighted by her obvious height of 7-feet tall, but Stephanie is an incredible person in every aspect of her life.
“She has a fantastic story to tell, from her upbringing to her educational journey, basketball experiences, and even the process to get her to Texas Tech. Stephanie is full of joy and loves the game of basketball. We cannot wait for Lady Raider Nation and the Texas Tech community to meet her.”
Tech beat UCF 73-55 on Wednesday to improve to 15-0 and 2-0 in Big 12 play. The Lady Raiders host Arizona (9-4, 0-2) on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech signs tallest player in women’s basketball history
