Shelton State Community College forward Matthew Horton signed Thursday with Western Kentucky.

Western Kentucky’s basketball program bolstered its future Thursday with the signing of two forwards, Matthew Horton and Galen Smith III.

Horton is a 6-foot-11 forward from Shelton State Community College in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Ala. He’ll have two years of eligibility to play for the Hilltoppers when he arrives next fall.

Smith is a 6-10 forward from Bay St. Louis, Miss., who’s playing his final prep year in Hawaii. He’ll have four years of eligibility for coach Rick Stansbury’s WKU program.

Horton and Smith join guards Jeremiah Gambrell and Trevelin Queen, both of whom signed Wednesday, in officially joining the Toppers’ Class of 2018.

Horton averaged 5.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game last year in a reserve role for Shelton State. He appeared in 27 games and started three, but he’s expected to be a focal point for the program this season as a sophomore.

Horton registered six points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in his team’s first game of the year this season.

Shelton State went 27-6 last season, won an ACCC championship and advanced to the first round of the NJCAA Championship tournament.

Horton told the Daily News after committing in August that he chose WKU over Arkansas and Georgetown.

“I’m a good shot blocker,” Horton said. “I run the floor. I’m a defensive player. I can score. Whatever (Stansbury) asks me to do, I can do.”

Horton averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks as a senior at Paul Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa.

“Matt brings a much-needed ability to our program,” Stansbury said in a news release. “He’s got great size and athleticism. Again, we think his best days lie ahead of him.

“He’s just coming on as a player, but he can really run and really block shots. As he continues to gain experience and get stronger, he’s got a bright future.”

Smith – who played last season at Bay High School in his hometown of Bay St. Louis – will compete in his senior year at Kahuku High and Intermediate School in Honolulu.

As a junior at Bay High, Smith averaged 13.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. His squad finished the season with a 25-6 record and ranked No. 1 in South Mississippi by the Biloxi Sun Herald.

Smith was named the Sun Herald’s All-South Mississippi Player of the Year for his efforts.

247Sports Composite ranks Smith, who averaged 7.9 points and 6.3 rebounds as a sophomore at Bay High, as a three-star prospect.

His brother, Galen Smith Jr., plays for Xavier University in New Orleans, and his parents were both basketball players. His mother played collegiately at South Alabama.

“We’re excited about what we think this young man can develop into,” Stansbury said. “No. 1, he’s a terrific student and comes from a great family.

“He’s a kid that grew about 5 inches between his freshman and junior year, so he has some skills with that size. He’s a hard worker, and there’s no question his best basketball days lie ahead of him.”{&end}