WKU Basketball: How Will Matthew Horton Fit In?
At 6'11 and 234 pounds, this southern big man will look to help carry some of the weight of WKU’s frontcourt next year. Let’s meet Shelton…
At 6'11 and 234 pounds, this southern big man will look to help carry some of the weight of WKU’s frontcourt next year. Let’s meet Shelton State’s Matthew Horton.
Matthew Horton
Matthew Hortonathletics.sheltonstate.edu
Horton is a JUCO transfer who comes to the Hill from Tuscaloosa, Alabama where he played high school ball at Paul Bryant High School and averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks his senior year.
He has spent the past two years at Shelton State Community College where he averaged 8.6 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game his sophomore year there along with 90 blocks. Here’s some highlights from his freshman year:
Horton will be one of the most physical and biggest players WKU will have next season. Personally, I see him being one of the best off-the-bench players the Tops will have this season.
I imagine he’ll be behind Charles Bassey in Stansbury’s rotation so when Bassey gets in foul trouble or needs a breather, Horton will be next-in-line to go play the center spot (I see Tolu Smith being used as a power forward). Horton is a big guy and brings JUCO playing experience so he’ll help the frontcourt be the deepest it’s been in years.
WKU’s frontcourt was extremely thin last season so having some depth in 2018/19 will give Stansbury a lot of options. With as many guards that will be on roster, Stansbury could go the small ball direction with certain matchups but I still see him having at least one true big on the floor at all times. And could even go really big if he wanted to by having him and Bassey on the floor at the same time.
Unless Stansbury uses a smaller lineup (or Diagne improves tremendously in the off-season), I expect Horton to be the first big man off the bench. With his size and experience, he’ll provide some consistent playing while he’s on the court.
My favorite thing about him though was what he said about WKU in an interview with Tuscaloosa News, he said:
“They have white squirrels up there. I’m a country dude. If they say they have white squirrels, I have to go find one.”
Matt: I can assure you that you’ll find one, probably eating from a trash can by Java City in Helm Library. When you see a white squirrel for the first time, I hope it’s as magical as you’ve dreamed of that moment being because it really is special. Never take them for granted.