Jaylin Galloway to Cairns confirmed

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans welcome three-time NBL champion Jaylin Galloway on a one-year deal, that will see the star wing suit up in orange alongside brother Kyrin.

Galloway will also play under Head Coach Adam Forde for a second time in his career, after he was first recruited by him at the Kings in 2020.

"I signed with Cairns because I wanted a bigger role and opportunity," Galloway said.

"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.

"I'm excited to play for Fordey (Adam Forde), who gave me my first professional contract.

"He's built a really good group in Cairns, with a lot of players such as Brucey (who he won three titles with in Sydney), Jack [McVeigh], who I played at the 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 to."

Galloway, who was mutually released from Sydney during the week, was first recruited by then Kings Head Coach Forde as a development player in 2020.

"JG" split his time between the Kings and the Centre of Excellence, appearing in eight games in his first year and winning a Championship in his second year as a DP.

He went undrafted in 2022 but was elevated at the Kings on a three-year contract, winning his second title in his first season on the full-time roster, while averaging 5.1 points and 1.8 boards across 14 minutes per game.

Galloway hit the 2023 NBA Summer League floor with the Minnesota Timberwolves before returning to Sydney to play under incoming Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah. He improved to 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.

After playing seven games with their G League affiliate, Galloway signed with Sydney again on a new three-year deal, but his 2024-25 campaign was cut short due to a shoulder injury that ruled him out for the season.

The Townsville-born talent returned to the court in 2025 for the FIBA Asia Cup, where he led the Boomers in scoring and steals. Australia secured the gold medal, and Galloway was named Asia Cup MVP and joined Taipans teammate Jack McVeigh in the event's All-Star Five.

The 23-year-old won his third championship with the Kings earlier this year. Since then, Galloway underwent another successful shoulder operation, and he will be evaluated in eight weeks to determine when he will make his Taipans debut.

"It's good to reconnect with Jaylin after I had him in Sydney; his career has thrived since he was a development player," Forde said.

"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.

"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.

"He's been really diligent with his rehabilitation, and he's ahead of schedule on his return-to-play timeline."

The Galloway brothers join McVeigh, Pinder, Bruce, Smith, Walter Brown, Sunday Dech, Luke Paul, Jonah Bolden and import Jaylon Brown on the roster.

The Taipans begin their 2026-27 season in Sydney on September 20, but your first chance to see the new recruits is less than a week away.

Kicking off their pre-season on Wednesday, the Taipans will host the St Mary's Gaels at Trinity Ford Stadium - grab your tickets HERE.