Gucci Luchi: The Terps’ Most Fashionable Bucket

Shaped by gymnastics, inspired by fashion, grounded in faith, and taking the college basketball scene by storm. 

Oluchi Okananwa has made an early mark on her new program, helping the Terps remain undefeated through the first half of the season. She's already a star on the court, but she's defined by so much more than her basketball production.

She's Gucci Luchi — an anime-loving, Christ-centered, foodie-aspiring, bucket-scoring fashionista, all while being the most energetic player on the court. 

The nickname was born in middle school, shortly after she made a pivotal sport change. Gucci Luchi combines her passion for fashion, her high-energy (the word lucci stems from the Italian word for "light"), and her reliability as a teammate. 

"I like to keep myself constant, not just for me, but for the people around me," Okananwa said. "I definitely play that role in terms of just, 'hey, if you want some positive energy, come over here. If you want some uplifting energy, come over here.' That's me. That's Gucci."

The Gucci aspect, of course, is a nod to the Italian fashion house. She runs a "styling with Luchi" series with the team, works with her teammates to style arrival fits, and is constantly scrolling to find the newest,  freshest looks.

"Of course, I am a basketball player," Okananwa said. "I say it all the time, but I'm not just a basketball player. I'm a person who plays basketball. Of course, basketball is so incredibly important to me. It has been for I don't even know how many years, but I think along the way, that's how I kind of figured out, 'okay, I think you're going to need other things to express yourself.'"

In a society that often tells young girls and women they can lean into fashion or athletics, but never both, Okananwa says otherwise. 

"You have to know your identity outside of basketball," Okananwa said. "The first step to going downhill is putting all your eggs in the basket of having only one source of happiness and one source of identity. When you see me, you should see basketball, but you should also see X, Y and Z. You should see my fashion. You should see my faith. You should see my love for anime. There's so much more to me than just basketball."

Even within the realm of sports, she's more than a guaranteed bucket. Her athletic prowess started not on the court, but on the mat. 

"Basketball was always a constant, but truthfully, gymnastics was my first sport love," Okananwa said. "I wanted to go to the Olympics. I did gymnastics for nine years. I loved basketball as well, but gymnastics was the one for me at first."

She credits gymnastics for her strong quads, her "cut" form and "built" frame, and her incredible agility on the court — especially when she has to contort herself during a layup. It was an integral part of her upbringing and hard to walk away from.

"I had my last gymnastics practice ever, and it was just so weird," Okananwa said. "After nine years of doing something, you just stop and say, 'yep, never again'. It was really strange. But I'm so thankful for it, because then I was able to dive into basketball and I love it. I love it so much. Yes, gymnastics was my first sport, love, but basketball is my true sport love, hands down."

Gymnastics gifted her a talent for balance, both in and out of sports. With so many passions — the word "hobbies" would be far too unenthusiastic — Okananwa knows how to maintain balance in her life and stay rooted: through her faith.

"Nobody would know who I am if it wasn't for my faith," Okananwa said. "I quite literally wouldn't be in the situation that I am. I don't even know if I'd still be playing basketball at this point. The sport as a whole is so taxing mentally, and having Christ at the center of everything and putting him before myself, before basketball, before anything is what's allowed me to consistently see the bigger picture and focus on the present moment." 

The story of her impressive collegiate basketball career began in Durham, NC. Okananwa spent two years with the Duke Blue Devils, where she collected 2024 ACC Sixth Player of the Year, 2024 All-Freshman Team, and 2025 ACC Tournament Most Outstanding Player accolades. Still, without a start over two seasons, she knew she was destined for more. She entered the transfer portal.

"It took an undeniable belief in myself that I can make it," Okananwa said. "I can bet on me. Of course, that comes with the help from the people around me: my family, my godfather, my high school coach. I have a very amazing close circle. When I said, 'I'm ready to do whatever it takes because I have so much belief in myself', they reaffirmed it."

With hundreds of schools that'd be thrilled to add her prowess, one figure made College Park a no-brainer landing spot for Maryland's new star.

"Brenda Frese," Okananwa said. "Look at what she's done. I want to be next, to put it quite simply. I want to be a part of that. I want to be coached by her. I want to play in her system and I want to play a part of her program that is so storied and has sent so many girls to the WNBA. I want to be a part of that rap sheet."

To play for a legend was an opportunity she couldn't pass on, but even in her life-changing transfer, she stayed rooted and with a mature mindset. 

"I came in with no expectation because I never want to create any sort of narrative in my head and then make any other person live up to that," Okananwa said. "I was just excited and happy to be here and be a part of this, and playing for Brenda has been great. Her experience speaks for itself. She's just so educated in the game. What I try to do is just shut up and listen, because she knows exactly what she's talking about."

Frese also has a tremendous knack for finding players to improve her program. The sample size is small, but Okananwa has already earned her esteemed praise.

“Oluchi’s been our most consistent player,” Frese said. “You see her motor. It jumps off the chart. She’s going to give 100% in anything. Defense, offense, rebounding, passing. If she has a weakness, she wants to improve upon it. She puts the time in and isn’t satisfied. It’s no surprise that she’s having the success she’s having because she’s put a lot of work in.”

With Okananwa marking double-figures in every game this season, Frese's wisdom and Okananwa's belief in herself have already taken root. Even on possessions when she's not scoring, her passion and energy set her apart on the floor.

"I have a really high motor," Okananwa said. "That's just really all it is, the consistent high energy is just something that I'm so used to bringing that it's just kind of become a part of me now."

In just three games as a Terp, she's already established herself as a leader and a constant source of scoring and energy on her new team.

"I just want to help," Okananwa said. "I just want to be an impact player. I want to be a player on this team that is, of course, heavily relied on, but because I consistently deliver. I want to continue to uphold that role."