New weapon emerges: Galloway crowned MVP

Sydney Kings forward Jaylin Galloway capped off a brilliant FIBA Asia Cup run by being named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

He played a pivotal role in the Boomers’ three-peat, which began in 2017 when Australia first entered the Asia region, and was nothing short of sensational across two weeks in Jeddah.

At just 22, Galloway averaged more than 14 points and three rebounds per game while hitting an incredible 67 per cent from deep. He delivered in the clutch, especially in the final against China, where he poured in 23 points and drilled six triples.

Galloway led the All-Star Five, joined by fellow Boomer Jack McVeigh, who averaged 13.5 points across the tournament. The Chinese frontcourt pair of Hu Jinqiu and Wang Junjie also made the team, along with Iran’s point guard Sina Vahedi.

Kings coach Brian Goorjian, speaking to Code Sports last week, praised Galloway’s preparation and resilience in returning from a serious shoulder injury and the pain of being waived by his NBA team, Milwaukee.

“Jaylin and Xavier (Cooks) have been like a team working together during their 7am sessions,” Goorjian said. “They’ve put the hard yards in. Running every day, lifting every day, shooting.

“They both targeted the Asia Cup. A new coach on the national team, a new opportunity, so I’m really happy for both of them.”

The future looks bright for the young star.

“We could have done two separate podcasts on the Asia Cup. We could have done one on the Boomers and we could have done one on Jaylin Galloway,” Jack Heverin said on an NBL Now Special.

“He’s the tournament MVP every single game... he’s made an enormous contribution. It was his shooting that was super important in this Final as well. Wow, what a tournament this guy had.”

“Man, hats off to Jaylin Galloway,” Damon Lowery continued.

“He went 16 of 28 from three for the tournament. 68 per cent, man. Anytime he missed, I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it when the ball didn’t go in. We already knew what an athlete he was. We knew how he could get on the rim and dunk on you and finish. We knew how he could play defence.

“This new weapon of his, it is not a flash in the pan. It’s not that he went four of six one game, and then went one of seven the next game. He consistently for five games kept doing this. You can’t go under his screens. You have to chase him hard off the three point line.

“This dude, man, what a breakout tournament he’s had. He’s going to go into the NBL26 season full of confidence. And I’m telling you, he’s 22 years old.”

Galloway will now return to Australia to play a key role with the Sydney Kings, who shape as a major Championship threat if he can maintain this form and stay healthy.