LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Kentucky men’s basketball has signed junior college transfer Josh Harrellson to a National Letter of Intent, head coach Billy Gillispie announced on Wednesday.

Harrellson, 6-9 and a native of St. Charles, Mo., spent his freshman season at Southwestern Illinois College where he averaged 14.8 points and eight rebounds per game in leading the Blue Storm to the Region XXIV Championship game. He was selected to the NJCAA All-Region XXIV team as well as being named a First Team All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference (GRAC) performer.

“We’re extremely happy to have Josh become a part of our basketball family,” said Gillispie. “He’s a guy who continues to improve and will fill a need for us next year. My excitement is growing about the prospects of next year’s team.

“Josh has a ton of potential, and possesses a great basketball IQ. One of the most appealing things about him is that he has three years left coming out of junior college.

“When he came on his visit to Kentucky, he loved it here. It went unbelievably well because our current players did a great job of making him feel a part of our family, and Josh meshed with them immediately. He kept talking about the fans and the exposure. I like having guys who look forward to accepting the challenge of playing at a place like Kentucky.”

A graduate of St. Charles High School in St. Louis, Mo., Harrellson averaged 18.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game as a senior.

Harrellson is the fourth member of Kentucky’s 2008 signing class, joining Kevin Galloway (Sacramento, Calif.), DeAndre Liggins (Chicago, Ill.) and Darius Miller (Maysville, Ky.).

The National Letter of Intent signing period runs through May 21.