Might we see the collegiate debut of Texas Tech's 7-1 center Stephanie Okechukwu?
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech made a splash in Big 12 recruiting as the new year got underway by signing 7-1 Nigerian post Stephanie Okechukwu. She is the tallest women's college basketball player of all time.
However, that record has yet to be stamped as she has not seen the floor.
Since Okechukwu's signing in early January, the Red Raiders have gone 5-3 and are sitting 20-3 record overall (7-3 in conference). Okechukwu has made the move to Lubbock and has watched games from the bench, but has not registered a minute of action.
However, if the Lady Raiders' social media page is any indication, the team could be teasing at her debut quickly approaching.
Texas Tech's women's hoops page posted a series of photos where Okechukwu is practicing her jumper at the United Supermarkets Arena. The "eyes" emojis certainly gives the post a anticipatory tone, as well.
Texas Tech could greatly use her unique size and reach in its next game, where the top-ranked team in the Big 12, TCU, travels to West Texas for a Sunday matinee.
Okechukwu's reported 7-4 wingspan will be a challenge for any opposing offense, especially with how difficult it is to score on the Lady Raiders' defense to begin with.
The same can be said for Sunday's opponent. The Horned Frogs (54.3) and the Red Raiders (56.0) are alone atop the conference ranks in scoring defense per game. Okechukwu's prowess on the glass could be a vital enhancement for the Lady Raiders against a TCU frontcourt that ranks second in the conference in rebounds.
TCU forward Marta Suarez is 10th in the conference in scoring at 15.4 points per game on 45 percent shooting from the field. The interior defense against her will be a point of emphasis for Tech after the conference's leading scorer Audi Crooks put up 33 points down low for Iowa State as the Cyclones beat the Lady Raiders by double digits on Wednesday.
Head coach Krista Gerlich is hoping to get her team on a better track after starting the season a program-best 19-0, but losing three of the last four games.
The ranked matchup between No. 12 TCU and No. 21 Texas Tech - with the 1 p.m. tip-off broadcasting nationally on FS1 - could be the Lady Raiders' biggest test of the season.
They might be ready to integrate their biggest physical presense as a result.