The tallest player in women’s college basketball history made her debut on Thursday. Texas Tech center Stephanie Okechukwu took the court and scored 6 points in the Lady Raiders’ 64-37 win over Charlotte.

Okechukwu scored the first points of her college career and the first for Texas Tech this season with two free throws. (Yes, she won the opening tip.) She rebounded a missed 3-pointer by Ambrosia Cole and was fouled going up for a shot by the 49ers’ Ja’Navia Gage.

“She does not think she played well,” Texas Tech head coach Krista Gerlich said afterward. “I'm excited for her and it's only going to get better. There is definitely more.”

In addition to her 6 points, the 21-year-old center finished with 10 rebounds and 4 blocks in 21 minutes.

Destinee Hooks led Texas Tech with 16 points, adding 7 rebounds. Cole added 12 points, also grabbing 7 boards. Charlotte got 16 points from Mariah Sain. No other 49ers player scored more than 5 points.

Okechukwu’s journey to Lubbock, Texas

Before Okechukwu made her debut on Thursday, the previous tallest women’s college basketball players were current Middle Tennessee State freshman Nicole Dominguez and Eastern Illinois junior Abbie Boutilier, both of whom were 6-foot-10.

A native of Umunneochi, Nigeria, Okechukwu was granted four years of eligibility by the NCAA earlier this week. She signed with Texas Tech in January, but did not play during the 2025-26 season.

The NCAA initially allowed only two years of eligibility despite Okechukwu never playing college basketball at another program or professional basketball internationally.

According to Gerlich, the NCAA considered Okechukwu to have taken a gap year since she graduated from Fukuchiyama Seibi High School in Kyoto, Japan in 2024. Since then, she had played AAU ball in the Philippines and been working with trainers in Nigeria.

Texas Tech filed a waiver hoping to get Okechukwu three years of eligibility. This week, the school received the news that she would be able to play in Lubbock for four years. She is officially listed as a sophomore on the Lady Raiders’ website.

"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," associate coach and general manager Erik DeRoo told Okechukwu in a video posted to social media.

Texas Tech, which went 26-8 and advanced to the NCAA tournament second round last season, next hosts Lamar on Monday. Fans hoping to watch Okechukwu get an opportunity on Nov. 19 when the Lady Raiders face No. 12 North Carolina at the WBCA Showcase in Florida. That game will be broadcast on ESPN2.