Return of the X-Factor

While Boomers fans were thrilled with Australia's strong Asia Cup start, it might have been the Sydney Kings who walked away most excited, thanks to the impressive showing from their emerging star Jaylin Galloway.

“I tell you what, the way he’s stepping into that three ball with confidence, even off the dribble, if I’m Brian Goorjian, if I’m the Sydney Kings, Andrew Bogut … I’d be sitting back thinking, yep, this is something we severely lacked last year,” Pete Hooley said on NBL Now.

“He’s going to be an X-factor.”

Galloway finished with 12 points in 17 minutes, but it was his four made threes from five attempts that would have Kings fans buzzing ahead of the new season.

“If that dude is healthy, his first step is lethal. His athleticism is not normal,” Damon Lowery added.

“And now that he’s a three-ball shooter… none of them looked like they were missing. That’s another weapon Brian Goorjian has up his sleeve.”

Galloway returned from a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks to rejoin a Kings squad still searching for a clear identity last season.

A major turning point came in Round 7 against Melbourne, when Galloway was inserted into the starting lineup following a sluggish start to the season. Sadly, that same game saw the 22-year-old suffer a season-ending shoulder injury.

Now, he’s back on court and shining for the national team.

“Jaylin Galloway, man, is kind of like a forgotten guy on the Boomer scene,” Lowery said.

“But I’ll take his athleticism, his defensive intensity, and put it up next to anybody’s.”