Fidelis Okereke Signs To Play Basketball At CSU Northridge

NORTHRIDGE — Get ready, Northridge – CSU Northridge is about to be on a roll. Fidelis Okereke, a 6-foot-7 senior at King/Drew High School in Willowbrook who has been honored as City Section co-player of the year has signed on to play basketball for the Matadors. This last season, he averaged 16.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.0 blocked shots, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Okereke was on the verge of signing with Coppin State University in Baltimore when Northridge coaches Mark Gottfried, Jim Harrick, Mo Williams, and Jeff Dunlap went on Zoom to try to convince Okereke to accept the scholarship and become a Matador. Okereke said in a statement that he was pleased to attend a school nearer to his home.

“I want to go far with basketball and that means I want to be at the top level,” he said. “When I got the offer from Coppin State, the staff seemed great. Only thing was it was across the country, which I don’t mind, but it would’ve been even better if I had a school closer. When CSUN offered last night, I was completely surprised. They have a good track record for being a great team … and for having great coaches.”

On his Twitter account, Okereke wrote: “I’m just thankful and surprised at how God works. This offer may have come in last night but is one decision that I feel most at peace making, other than that I’m grateful for the opportunity. I promise I won’t waste it.”

Michael Wittner and The Los Angeles Times contributed reporting.