Texas Tech Women’s Basketball GM Erik Deroo on NIL, International Recruiting, and Building the Lady Raiders

On this episode of East Texas Sports Now, Tyler native Erik Deroo joins the show after being named general manager of Texas Tech women’s basketball while continuing his role as an associate coach for the Lady Raiders.

Deroo explains how the general manager position has become essential in the modern college sports landscape. With NIL opportunities, revenue-sharing agreements, player movement, and agent communication now shaping college athletics, he discusses the behind-the-scenes responsibilities of managing contracts, roster budgets, market valuations, recruiting conversations, and relationships with players, parents, agents, and donors.

The conversation dives into the changing world of women’s college basketball, including how Texas Tech was among the early programs to announce a team-wide NIL initiative. Deroo also explains the challenge of evaluating player value in a landscape without the established salary structures found in professional sports, as well as why recruiting now requires a balance of relationships, roster fit, player development, and financial planning.

Deroo shares his experience building Texas Tech’s international recruiting presence, which has taken him across more than 15 countries in the past three years. He discusses recruiting talent from Spain, France, Uganda, Nigeria, and beyond, along with the unique challenges of international player evaluation, immigration, visas, and helping athletes adjust to life in Lubbock.

He also reflects on his East Texas roots, growing up in Tyler, attending Grace Community School, playing college basketball at UT Tyler and McPherson College, and how the blue-collar mentality and community support of East Texas helped shape his career.

Looking ahead, Deroo previews the Texas Tech Lady Raiders’ upcoming season. After graduating nine seniors, the program has reloaded with a mix of transfer additions, six high school signees, top-100 talent, returning All-Big 12 performer Jaylen Bristow, and 7-foot-1 Nigerian prospect Stephanie Okechukwu. Deroo discusses the potential of the roster, the importance of staying healthy, and why the Lady Raiders believe they can make another NCAA Tournament run.