Texas Tech women’s basketball head coach Krista Gerlich has confirmed that 7-foot-1 center Stephanie Okechukwu, who is set to become the tallest player in women’s college basketball history, will not play this season as she awaits NCAA eligibility approval
15:03 ET, 11 Feb 2026Updated 15:03 ET, 11 Feb 2026
Okechukwu is expected to play for Texas Tech next season(Image: Texas Tech)
Texas Tech women’s basketball head coach Krista Gerlich has confirmed that her record-breaking recruit will sit out this season.
Stephanie Okechukwu, a towering 7-foot-1 center who committed to Texas Tech in October, is set to become the tallest player in women’s college basketball history once she steps onto the court. However, the Umunneochi, Nigeria native won’t suit up for the Lady Raiders during the 2025-26 season as she awaits NCAA clearance.
Gerlich disclosed that Okechukwu, whose official measurements exceeded initial expectations, will spend the year integrating with the program and preparing for her collegiate debut next season. The decision follows LSU head coach Kim Mulkey’s rejection of a five-star prospect that left many “surprised” and “upset.
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“I don’t look to play her this year, and I think that needs to be said so that people can quit asking,” Gerlich told reporters this week.
“Just transcript issues, as far as making her a four-year transfer. This team is doing such a great job, chemistry-wise and together, that I’m not sure it’s fair to them, either.
“So, if she’s a four-year transfer, she can’t be eligible that semester. So we’re doing some things to manage that and to maybe get a waiver here or there, but at this point, to me, it’s not really fair to her to try to get five games out of her or something like that, especially because of the minutes that she probably would play,” Gerlich added, per USA Today.
With just over a month remaining before the NCAA Tournament, Texas Tech sits at No. 16 nationally with an outstanding 23-3 record. With five regular-season contests left, the program has already notched its highest win total since the 2004-05 campaign.
At 7-foot-1, Stephanie Okechukwu will be the tallest player in women’s college basketball once she formally joins Texas Tech(Image: Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Powered by top scorers Bailey Maupin (15.7 points per game) and Snudda Collins (15.2), the Lady Raiders are tracking toward their first March Madness appearance in 13 years.
According to Gerlich, bringing Okechukwu into the mix this season would present multiple obstacles, including integrating her into a rotation, system, and team dynamic that has already proven effective this year.
It’s not a gamble the sixth-year head coach is willing to take as her squad enters the final stretch of the season, and it wouldn’t be fair to Okechukwu, either.
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Nevertheless, Gerlich has heaped praise on her future center, telling USA Today earlier this year, “she is 7-foot-1 of pure joy and has such a great heart … I would say the thing about her is that she loves basketball, and she understands it’s an avenue for her to be able to get an education, for her to be able to pursue her dreams of being a professional player.
“The amount of gratitude that that kid has, and her story itself ― I hope the world will learn about her story in due time because it’s truly incredible.”
Once Okechukwu receives eligibility clearance, Gerlich anticipates she’ll spend multiple seasons with Texas Tech and become a vital contributor to the program’s future achievements.