Australia's Galloway signs NBA deal with Bucks

Australian Jaylin Galloway is on his way to the NBA after signing a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The two-year deal means the ex-Sydney Kings forward will split his time with the Bucks and the Wisconsin Herd, Milwaukee's affiliate club in the G League.

Galloway, who played NBA summer league with Minnesota last year, has long been rated an elite prospect.

The deal was made official on Monday morning (AEDT) and Galloway has already flown to the USA to link up with the Bucks, who sit third on the eastern conference standings.

"It's all happened so fast. It's crazy and I still can't really believe I've been given this opportunity," Galloway said.

"I knew there was some interest with the Bucks after my agent mentioned it a few months ago, but it's only all come to fruition over the last few days. It really hasn't sunk in yet.

"I'm super-excited and can't wait to get to work."

Galloway is the latest Australian to make the leap from the NBL to the NBA, with Xavier Cooks, Duop Reath, Jock Landale, Josh Giddey and Jack White
among others to have done so in recent years.

Galloway, a dual NBL champion with the Kings, had a breakout season in 2023/24 despite being hampered by injury, and was shortlisted for the league's award for most improved player.

The Kings confirmed the 197cm-tall 21-year-old had signed a three-year contract extension as part of his release.

That means should Galloway move back to the NBL across the next three seasons, the Kings hold first refusal to sign him.

"We couldn’t be prouder of JG and the opportunity in front of him," Kings chief executive Chris Pongrass said.

Josh Giddey (right) in NBA action for Oklahoma City Thunder.
Galloway will look to follow in the footsteps of fellow Australian Josh Giddey (r) in the NBA.

A former teammate of Galloway's, Cooks was the most recent Kings player to make the move to the NBA.

He was cut by the Washington Wizards on the eve of the current season.

Galloway's contract comes days after the Atlanta Hawks waived countryman Patty Mills, with the Boomers captain yet to sign elsewhere.

The Bucks have been one of the premier NBA sides of recent years, spearheaded by superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and won the 2021 championship.

Veteran swingman Joe Ingles, who joined Orlando at the end of the 2022/23 season, was the most recent Australian to feature for Milwaukee.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store