Texas Tech reportedly signs 7-foot center

According to reports, Texas Tech has signed 7-foot center Stephanie Okechukwu. If the NCAA lets her play, she could be the tallest player in women's college basketball.

Multiple people familiar with Okechukwu's recruitment told USA Today that the 7-footer is likely to join the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The school has not officially announced the deal.

Krista Gerlich, the head coach of the Red Raiders, hinted at their arrival in a post on X for the New Year. She wrote, "Walking into the New Year feeling 7 feet tall!" and included a video that fans thought featured Okechukwu. According to reports, the center has a wingspan of 7 feet 4 inches. The school also posted a picture of him palming two basketballs on its website.

Okechukwu's size and skills have gotten her a lot of attention on social media. She dunks with ease and little lift in an Instagram Reel that is going around the internet. She also handles the ball well, passes it, and retrieves it. If cleared, her height would be enough to make her stand out across the country.

While Okechukwu waits for the NCAA to accept her officially, the tallest women playing college basketball right now are Nicole Dominguez (6 feet 10 inches) of Middle Tennessee State and Abbie Boutilier (6 feet 8 inches). Okechukwu has never played in the NCAA or the WNBA before.

Texas Tech is having a fantastic season that coincides with her rumored deal. The Red Raiders are 15-0 and ranked 21st in the country. Each guard, Snudda Collins, Bailey Maupin, and Jalynn Bristow, scores more than 14 points per game, making their backcourt one of the most productive in the Big 12.

Adding a 7-foot player in the paint could make a defense that is already one of the best in the country even better. At just 31.7%, Texas Tech is fifth in the country in field goal percentage against and 10th in points allowed per game (52.3).

If accepted, Okechukwu's size could make it much harder for opponents to plan their attacks, giving the Red Raiders' title hopes a new dimension.