JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - He's been playing his best basketball with Australia in the ongoing FIBA Asia Cup 2025 and all that is thanks to the blessing in disguise that came in the way of Jaylin Galloway.
While being away due to an injury could take its toll on others in one too many aspects, the athletic 22-year-old forward took as much with optimism and used that layoff as a time for recalibration within himself.
"It wasn't too tough... I felt like I needed a break," reflected the Townsville, Queensland-born hooper. "I think I was going through a lot emotionally, so I count that as a blessing. I didn't take it as a negative."
Galloway had to sit out for six months after suffering a shoulder injury back in November of last year, marking yet another big blow to what had already been a whirlwind of a 2024 for him as a professional.
He was, at that time, barely three months into his return to the Sydney Kings in the NBL - a return that's part of his NBA comeback bid after being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, which signed him to a two-way deal.
Yet he persevered, and turned that setback to his own advantage.
"I was out for six months so it gave me time to take care of my body, get my shot right, work on the things I needed to work on, and for sure, it definitely [helped me] get my mind right," he said.
"So, it was definitely the time I needed, for sure," Galloway added.
Following his recovery from a successful shoulder injury, he then went on to sign with the Bankstown Bruins of the NBL1-East and there, he was able to gain back his confidence following a standout campaign.
Now, he's carried that over in Jeddah, much to the Boomers' delight - and of their faithful, of course. In fact, he's currently their best scorer with 17.3 points per game alongside 3.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.8 steals.
His best showing to date came against Qatar, where he fired 24 points on an 8-of-10 clip from the floor to star in their 110-82 victory to finish atop Group A and sweep their way into the knockout Quarter-Finals.
Galloway would be as important as well in the QF, knocking down three triples to ignite the reigning two-time champions' start toward an 84-60 rout of the Philippines to advance to the Semi-Finals.
"That was the main goal, just coming out strong, making sure we hit our shots, and play hard. Yeah, definitely wanted to set the tone first," he said after the game at the King Abdullah Sports City Wednesday.
He finished with 15 points against Gilas and shot 4-of-6 from deep to keep his stature as the 2025 games' best outside shooter with an accuracy of 70.6-percent behind an average of 3.0 makes on 4.3 attempts.
This is clearly turning out to be a summer to remember for Galloway but he's not done yet.
Next up for the Aussies in the Semi-Finals are Iran, who are coming off a thrilling come-from-behind 78-75 victory against Chinese Taipei Wednesday night that saw the three-time champions overcome a 21-point deficit.
Interestingly, Team Melli are one of the few squads which the Boomers have lost to since joining the Asia Cup in 2017, bowing to a 74-85 result during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers' Second Round.
Thus, the anticipation in their encounter set Saturday, with Galloway himself excited as well - and surely the whole Team Australia, who are now in the midst of an unbeaten 16-game winning streak in this tourney.
"Every game is a challenge, and I'm looking forward to it," he said.
FIBA