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Texas Tech Unveils 7-1 Star As Lady Raiders Open New Era
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- Texas Tech Unveils 7-1 Star As Lady Raiders Open New Era
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Texas Tech women's basketball is entering a new season with enormous expectations, a dramatically different roster and one newcomer who literally stands above the competition.
The Lady Raiders open their 2026-27 campaign Thursday against Charlotte at United Supermarkets Arena, where 7-1 center Stephanie Okechukwu is expected to make her official collegiate debut.
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And she's already making history.
Okechukwu, a native of Nigeria who attended high school in Japan, is set to become the tallest player in women's college basketball history, according to Texas Tech Athletics.
The towering center joined the program in January but couldn't compete last season while awaiting NCAA eligibility clearance.
That process is finally complete, giving head coach Krista Gerlich a potentially game-changing presence in the paint.
Okechukwu provided an early glimpse of her potential during Tech's 81-40 exhibition victory over Angelo State, scoring 18 points.
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But she's only part of a fascinating rebuilding effort.
Texas Tech finished 26-8 last season, including a 12-6 Big 12 record, earning its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013.
The Lady Raiders also started 19-0 and returned to the national rankings for the first time in more than a decade.
Gerlich earned Big 12 Coach of the Year honors for the turnaround.
Now comes the difficult part: sustaining that success with almost an entirely new team.
Only two players return from last year's squad, making senior Jalynn Bristow particularly valuable.
Bristow led the Big 12 with 69 blocked shots last season while collecting a team-high 189 rebounds and connecting on 42 three-pointers.
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She looked ready for an expanded role against Angelo State, finishing with 26 points and nine rebounds.
Freshman guard Ambrosia "Bro Bro" Cole also figures prominently in Tech's plans.
The Lubbock Monterey product, a four-star recruit who helped lead her high school to a Texas state championship, contributed 12 points and six assists in the exhibition win.
Gerlich understands the challenge but isn't backing away from the opportunity.
"We have a chance to build something really special this year," she said.
Charlotte arrives following a 14-18 season and returns five players, including Zoe Best, who averaged 9.2 points per game.
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The Lady Raiders should have the advantage in size, but developing chemistry among so many newcomers remains a major question.
Last season proved Gerlich can build a winner in Lubbock.
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This season will determine whether Texas Tech can turn a remarkable turnaround into sustained national relevance.
Thursday's opener tips off at 5 p.m. Central and will stream on ESPN+.
