DESPITE much uncertainty about the sporting landscape due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, there is still much excitement around the future of basketball and no shortage of Australian talent running around through the college basketball system. For some, they aspire to enter the NBA Draft, while for others, they could play at lower levels or return back to Australia with a greater diverse understanding of basketball knowledge. Today we take a look at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) Spartans’ Kyrin Galloway.

The 203cm, 97kg forward has completed his four years at college now with the senior averaging 25.1 minutes on court this season averaging 8.6 points per game and 4.1 rebounds. Despite his size he is a strong three-point shooter, knocking down 35 per cent of his makes from 160 attempts, much more comfortable with the long-range jumper than getting close to the basket. He averages 61.1 per cent from inside the arc, but only has the 36 attempts to show for it, and likewise from the free-throw line with 21 from 27 successful makes.

Defensively, Galloway stacks up with an equal team-high 1.7 blocks per game, able to defend an opposing shooter’s shot and protect the transition defence before going forward to be an option from outside. His 2019/20 season was arguably a slight step down from his junior one, though he has been consistent for some time. From 35 games, Galloway averaged 27 minutes on court and 9.4 points and 4.3 rebounds, while blocking opponents more than once a game. He had a lot more attempts during the year, dropping 123 of his 247 for the season as efficiency rates of 62.2 (two-point) and 38.2 (three-point) per cent.

Galloway was included the Emerging Boomers squad last year for the 2019 World Uni Games and while he has not featured in ESPN’s mock NBA Draft, he is expected to have a bright future. He could play at G-League level where he has grown up in Georgia, head over to Europe or even bring his talents to the NBL.