The Cairns Taipans have officially announced the signing of Jaylin Galloway on a one-year deal for the NBL27 season.
The 23-year-old wing joins Cairns after winning his third NBL championship with the Sydney Kings and enjoying a breakthrough international campaign with the Australian national team.
“I wanted a bigger role and opportunity”
Galloway explained why he chose Cairns.
“I signed with Cairns because I wanted a bigger role and opportunity.“
The opportunity to reunite with his older brother Kyrin Galloway, who has spent the past two seasons with the Taipans, was another major factor.
“I also wanted to play alongside Kyrin, who I haven’t played with since 2023 at an NBL1 level with Ipswich, when we won the title.”
Reuniting with Adam Forde
Galloway will also reunite with Adam Forde, the coach who gave him his first professional contract with Sydney in 2020.
“I’m excited to play for Fordey, who gave me my first professional contract.“
The new Taipans signing also highlighted the number of familiar faces already on the roster.
“He’s built a really good group in Cairns, with a lot of players such as Brucey, who I won three titles with in Sydney, Jack McVeigh, who I played Asia Cup with, Keanu Pinder and Reyne Smith, who I went to the COE with.”
“It just felt like the right fit and system for me, where I hope to bring that championship standard.”
From the NBL to an NBA two-way contract
Galloway originally joined the Sydney Kings as a development player under Forde in 2020. After two seasons as a DP, he signed a three-year contract with the Kings in 2022 and won his second NBL championship in his first season as a full-time player.
He then appeared in the 2023 NBA Summer League with the Minnesota Timberwolves before returning to Sydney and taking another step forward.
He averaged 10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game, earning a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks in March 2024.
A breakout run with Australia
After a shoulder injury cut his 2024-25 campaign short, Galloway returned to the court with Australia at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.
He led the Boomers in scoring and steals as Australia won the gold medal, while Galloway was named Asia Cup MVP.
He was also selected to the tournament’s All-Star Five, alongside his new Cairns teammate Jack McVeigh.
After winning his third NBL championship with Sydney during the 2025-26 season, Galloway underwent another successful shoulder operation.
He will be reassessed in eight weeks to determine when he can make his Cairns debut, although his rehabilitation is reportedly ahead of schedule.
Forde: “He’s going to add another level to our offensive firepower”
Forde is delighted to reunite with the player he originally brought into professional basketball.
“It’s good to reconnect with Jaylin after I had him in Sydney; his career has thrived since he was a development player.”
The coach also praised Galloway’s ability to overcome setbacks.
“Winning chips with the Kings, earning a two-way, what he’s achieved in the green and gold already — he’s bounced back from every setback.“
Forde believes Galloway can make a major impact at both ends of the floor.
“He’s an exciting prospect that is going to add another level to our offensive firepower, as well as being one of the go-to guys to match up on some of the marquee players throughout the League.”
The Cairns Taipans will open their NBL27 season against the Sydney Kings on September 20, with Jaylin and Kyrin Galloway set to share the court at NBL level for the first time.
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