Elodie Lutbert: More than her height

BY AVA DAVIS

Contributing Writer

If there was anyone I would pick to have my back on my team, it would without a doubt be Elodie Lutbert. The freshman center from Sainte-Luce, Martinique, has made an immediate impact on the Tarleton Texans this season.

Lutbert is the tallest player on Coach Brock’s roster at 6-foot-6 and already brings a special presence to the court—one that has only become more serious as she has grown and learned throughout the season. She has made leaps and bounds in both her skills and confidence.

Lutbert brings more than just her height and basketball talent into the game. She is an oldest sister. You can tell just from watching how she defends her teammates that she will do anything to protect the people she cares about. In a game earlier this season, I watched her, without a second thought, jump between an opposing player who had bowed up to one of her teammates, Gia Adams. She didn’t hesitate, didn’t question what had happened, she simply stood up for her team.

After watching this interaction, my first thought, as an older sister, was that Lutbert must be an older sister too, and I was right. She has a little sister, and she says her loyalty and protective instincts come directly from that role, as she would do anything for her little sister. Lutbert also said her team is her family, and to her, they are all her little sisters whom she would do anything for.

Apart from the food and the language, she said life here is not too different from her home in Martinique. The people are kind, and she feels comfortable and enjoys being in Stephenville.

Lutbert only started playing basketball about six years ago. She previously played for ESB Villeneuve-d'Ascq in the Ligue Féminine de Basketball and represented France at the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship, appearing in seven games while averaging 2.3 points and 2.9 rebounds. She later earned selection to France’s roster for the FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket in Portugal.

On Feb. 9, 2025, she was named Western Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Week. She recorded a season-high and team-leading 18 points on Feb.14 against Abilene Christian University. She has totaled six double-doubles this season, leads the Texans with eight double-digit rebounding games and matched the Division I era program record for most rebounds in a game with 16.

To say she is a key player for Tarleton is an understatement. And as only a freshman, she still has time and room to grow.

Being the tallest player on the team, I asked her if she feels pressure going into games knowing that. Her response was simple: she likes the pressure. She enjoys the challenge, and that response reflects the mindset of Lutbert and how she carries herself.

While her height can be intimidating to an opponent or even a stranger, she is kind and soft-spoken, with a big heart that shows both on and off the court.

No matter the pressure, the opponent or the challenge she faces, Lutbert continues to show up for her team with an attitude focused on taking care of business. She has become a fan favorite to watch on the court, bringing not only skill and talent, but also character, competitiveness and compassion.

If I were to pick a teammate, I would pick Lutbert. She makes her presence known on the court, and nothing will stand in the way of her taking care of the people closest to her.