No. 21 Lady Raiders Sign 7'1" Center, Stephanie Okechukwu

LUBBOCK, TX — The No. 21 Texas Tech Lady Raiders added a new presence to their roster this week with the arrival of 7-foot-1 center Stephanie Okechukwu, believed to be the tallest women’s college basketball player in the sport’s history.

Okechukwu, from Umunneochi, Nigeria, officially joined the program this semester, head coach Krista Gerlich announced Wednesday. Texas Tech is still working with the NCAA to determine her initial eligibility and when she will be cleared to play.

"Stephanie has finally arrived in Lubbock and she was worth the time, effort and teamwork that went into getting her here," Coach 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." 

Okechukwu attended Fukuchiyama Seibi High School in Kyoto, Japan, where she further developed her basketball skills. She speaks English, Igbo and Japanese, and plans to major in business at Texas Tech.

Associate coach Erik DeRoo said Okechukwu’s recruitment reflects Tech’s growing success in international scouting.

“Just a couple of years ago our program took a deep dive into the international recruiting space,” associate coach Erik DeRoo said. “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. 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."

He added that while her height may draw the headlines, Okechukwu’s character, background and enthusiasm for the sport are equally significant.

The No. 21 Lady Raiders are off to one of the best starts in program history, with a 15-0 start to the 2025-25 basketball season.