LUBBOCK, Texas — The Texas Tech Lady Raiders basketball team is making history with its newest signee.
Stephanie Okechukwu, a 7-foot-1 center, is the tallest player in women’s college basketball history, according to a release from the university’s sports website. Okechukwu comes to Lubbock from Umunneochi, Nigeria after attending high school in Kyoto, Japan.
“Stephanie has finally arrived in Lubbock, and she was worth the time, effort and teamwork that went into getting her here,” head coach Krista Gerlich said in a statement. “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.”
The NCAA is still determining her initial eligibility, but if approved, Okechukwu will begin playing for the No. 21-ranked team this semester. On the academic side of her time at Tech, Okechukwu plans to major in business.
According to associate coach Erik DeRoo, Okechukwu’s signing comes after navigating the international recruiting space over the past couple years.
“The relationships built over the last two years gave us an opportunity to recruit and eventually sign Stephanie,” DeRoo said in a statement. “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.”