MARYVILLE, Mo. -- Northwest Missouri State head men's basketball coach Steve Tappmeyer announced the signing of Jason Abbuhl (Red Oak, Iowa) to a National Letter of Intent today. Abbuhl is currently a senior at Red Oak High School.

Abbuhl becomes the first player to sign in the 2005-06 recruiting class.

"Jason has got a great deal of potential," said Tappmeyer. "We are very excited to sign him. He is a great match for our program. He has been bothered a bit with injuries during his football season, but once he gets through that we can develop him into a great player here."

The 6'6" forward enters this basketball season starting every game since he took to the court as a freshman. He was honored on the All-Hawkeye Second Team as a junior when he averaged 14.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. As a second-year performer, Abbuhl pulled down 8.2 rebounds per contest en route to being named to the honorable mention all-league team.

Abbuhl also starred on the football team. He was awarded on the Omaha World Herald Second Team as a defensive back in 2003 and was given honorable mention laurels as a sophomore signal caller. The three-time Class President is a member of the High Honor Roll, National Honor Society and Academic All-District team in football and basketball.

Northwest, who is No. 12 in the 2004-05 Division II Bulletin Pre-Season rankings, stands at 4-0 on the young season. The Bearcats travel to the Central Arkansas Tournament, Nov. 26-27. Friday's game is scheduled for 6 p.m. vs. Ouachita Baptist while host-Central Arkansas welcomes Northwest at 8 p.m. on Saturday.