Mark Gottfried has been busy since taking over at Cal-State Northridge, having signed three prior recruits in Elijah Harkless, Darius Brown, Branden Harrick and Rodney Henderson. What the ‘Dors were missing was some size up front, and the addition of Michael Ou from Menaul High School in New Mexico provides just that.

Ou gives Northridge a post presence, with all of his 6’9 frame, and chose to come to the 818 over an offer from Northern Arizona after a visit last week, according to the ABQ Journal. An important piece to the Panthers appearance in a New Mexico State Championship game, Ou put up 19.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per night during his senior campaign, while hitting 67% of his shots.

Jim Harrick received tape on Ou, was impressed and got the ball rolling to bring him to the San Fernando Valley.

Joining Jordan Bell, Blaire Orr and Mahamodu Kaba-Camara, Ou will have plenty of opportunity to earn playing time right off the bat, while the Matadors still seemingly have one scholarship open, with hopes that Jacob Eyman signs in as well.

As a fan, I’m ecstatic that Cal-State Northridge finally has a proactive coaching staff that is willing to recruit in their own backyard, but also expand a few state lines over. I haven’t yet seen Ou play, though his stats are pretty impressive. Albeit, he did face weaker competition as the ABQ Journal has stated that he is the lone D-1 commitment from New Mexico.