Texas Tech's 7-foot-1 center gets four years of eligibility
NCAA grants Stephanie Okechukwu full eligibility, allowing her to play four seasons while pursuing her degree.
By Marta Gray ·
Stephanie Okechukwu will play four full seasons of basketball at Texas Tech. The NCAA granted the 7-foot-1 center a waiver that extends her eligibility from two years to four. This decision allows her to compete for the Lady Raiders while completing her undergraduate degree.
Associate coach and general manager Erik DeRoo delivered the news to Okechukwu on Wednesday via a video posted by the team. He told her that the NCAA approved all four years of eligibility. "I got a call from the NCAA that said that they granted you all four years of eligibility to play at Texas Tech, which means you’d be here four years to get your degree," DeRoo said in the clip.
Okechukwu reacted with visible emotion to the announcement. "Stop! Stop! No, are you serious?" she said. "I literally think about this every day." DeRoo told her the decision could change the trajectory of her life.
The Nigerian native joined Texas Tech in January 2026 as a midseason addition. She did not appear in a game during that period. The university now lists her as a sophomore center on its 2026-27 roster. According to Texas Tech, she is the tallest player in women’s college basketball history.
Okechukwu has a 7-foot-4 wingspan. She attended high school in Japan and developed her skills through international competition and AAU basketball in the Philippines. The university announced her signing in January while continuing to work with the NCAA on her initial eligibility status.
The NCAA initially granted Okechukwu two years of eligibility. Texas Tech submitted a waiver seeking two additional years so she could finish her degree while playing for the team. Head coach Krista Gerlich shared the video and wrote, "THIS is what college sports should be about! Clearly excited for us, but so incredibly happy for Steph & her dreams! From here it’s possible!"
The Lady Raiders open their season against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. Okechukwu is listed on the official roster as a player from Umunneochi, Nigeria.
