Head coach Krista Gerlich rang in the new year with a big addition to the Texas Tech roster. Literally
LUBBOCK, Texas - What was Texas Tech women's hoops coach Krista Gerlich up to in celebrating the new year?
Other than preparing for the undefeated No. 21-ranked Lady Raiders' next Big 12 game against Arizona on Saturday, Gerlich was hot on the recruiting trail adding a huge addition to the team.
Figuratively and literally.
Gerlich announced that Texas Tech had signed 7-foot center Stephanie Okechukwu from Nigeria, who is now officially the tallest player in women's college basketball. The coach helped foreshadow the news by posting a video of her walking with Okechukwu - who's listed with a 7-4 wingspan - with the caption "Walking into the New Year 7 feet tall!"
Okechukwu will reportedly be eligible to play immediately once her signing is approved by the NCAA.
Sources tell USA TODAY that multiple major-conference programs were in pursuit of the international star as many conference schedules go into full swing to start 2026. Members of the Lady Raiders coaching staff made the trip to Nigeria to make the singing official, and Gerlich met her new athlete in an airport, as seen in the video above.
Mississippi State and South Carolina are two other teams who have signed international players in the last month, and both expect them to be able to play once their visas are secured, though that has been a challenge at times lately. The same process is expected to be followed by Texas Tech and Okechukwu.
The signing is a massive addition to a Lady Raiders squad that is enjoying its best start in program history at 15-0. Tech is one of four unbeaten teams in the Big 12 (Arizona State, Iowa State, TCU) and is 2-0 in conference play after beating UCF 73-55 on the road on Wednesday.
Tech already deploys a stout defense that allows just a 35.7 effective field goal percentage to its opponents - the third best mark in the country. Adding a 7-footer shot-blocker to the roster expects to continue that dominance protecting the basket.
Okechukwu also shows promise offensively, as the YouTube highlight tape below shows her dunking with ease and showing off a solid midrange jumper.
This is a major turning point in the career of Texas Tech alum Gerlich, as she caught scrutiny for not securing a commitment from Lubbock native Aaliyah Chavez - the No. 1 overall recruit who ultimately committed to Oklahoma last year. Now, Gerlich is rising to the challenge leading the Lady Raiders to a start that has greatly improved perceptions of the team's current and future potential.
The addition of Okechukwu is another big reason why. Literally.
Texas Tech plays its first game in the new year on Jan. 3, hosting 9-4 Arizona in Lubbock at 6 p.m. The women's game will follow Texas Tech Men's Basketball's conference opener at 12 p.m. against Oklahoma State.