Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders sign 7-foot-1 center, Stephanie Okechukwu
January 02, 2026 | Women's Basketball
LUBBOCK, Texas – The No. 21-ranked Texas Tech Lady Raiders basketball team just got even better. Head coach Krista Gerlich has announced the addition of Stephanie Okechukwu to this year's roster, a 7-foot-1 center from Umunneochi, Nigeria.
"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."Â
The tallest women's college basketball player in the history of the sport, Okechukwu attended high school at Fukuchiyama Seibi in Kyoto, Japan, where she gained some of her basketball experience. Able to speak three languages (English, Igbo and Japanese) and planning on majoring in business, Okechukwu is set to join the Lady Raiders this semester. Texas Tech University is awaiting the NCAA's response to determine Stephanie's initial eligibility status, which will help determine when she will first play in the Scarlet and Black.
"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."
Lady Raider nation can follow Okechukwu on Instagram at livinus.stephanie. In addition, Okechukwu basketball highlights can be found here.
