Stephanie Okechukwu Sets Height Mark in Texas Tech Debut

Okechukwu made her Texas Tech debut on November 5, winning the opening tip before scoring the first points of the season for the Lady Raiders from the free-throw line. At 7-foot-1, she is the first 7-footer to play NCAA women’s basketball. The previous height record was held by 6-foot-11 Marvadene Anderson, who played for Pittsburgh in 2013-14.

In 21 minutes against Charlotte, Okechukwu recorded six points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, shooting 2-for-6 from the field. Texas Tech won 64-37. Coach Krista Gerlich said after the game that she was excited for Okechukwu and expected more progress.

The debut came on November 4, when the NCAA granted Okechukwu four years of eligibility, reversing an earlier decision that allowed her two. She joined Texas Tech in January, though she sat out last season. The NCAA had treated her time after graduating from high school in Japan in 2024 and before playing AAU basketball in the Philippines as a gap year.

Okechukwu, who is from Umunneochi, Nigeria, is listed as a sophomore and can play through the 2029-30 season. She plans to study business and has said she wants to earn her degree at Texas Tech.

In an October 18 exhibition against Angelo State, Okechukwu scored 18 points, grabbed five rebounds and blocked two shots in 19 minutes. The Lady Raiders were 26-8 last season, their strongest record since 2002-03, but only two players from that team returned.