Krista Gerlich has led Texas Tech to a 15-0 record this season. Stephen Garcia / Avalanche-Journal / Imagn Images
Texas Tech has signed Stephanie Okechukwu, who at 7-foot-1 is the tallest player in women’s college basketball history if the NCAA approves her eligibility.
The school officially announced the signing on Friday, two days after Red Raiders head coach Krista Gerlich put a cryptic post on X, saying, “Walking into the New Year feeling 7 feet tall!” with a video of a person who appeared to be Okechukwu. The school also posted a picture of the center, who reportedly has a 7-4 wingspan, palming two basketballs on the program’s website.
In an Instagram Reel that could strike fear into the hearts of future Texas Tech opponents, Okechukwu is shown dunking effortlessly and barely even leaving the floor. She’s got a deft touch with ball-handling, passing and rebounding.
Until Okechukwu is officially approved by the NCAA, the current tallest players in women’s college basketball are 6-foot-10 centers Nicole Dominguez of Middle Tennessee State and Abbie Boutilier of Eastern Illinois. Okechukwu has never played in the WNBA or at any level of the NCAA.
Okechukwu would be joining a Texas Tech team that is 15-0 and ranked 21st in the nation. Guards Snudda Collins, Bailey Maupin and Jalynn Bristow are all averaging more than 14 points.
Adding a 7-footer in the paint could bolster a defense that is already one of the best in the nation. The Red Raiders rank fifth in opposing field goal percentage (31.7%) and 10th in points allowed per game (52.3).
