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