New Chapter Ahead: Indiana Trey Galloway Announces Transfer Portal Entry, Leaves Fans Guessing…
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Trey Galloway’s body language conveyed his disappointment and frustration, in the aftermath of a Big Ten tournament exit he could do nothing to prevent.
Galloway, Indiana’s fourth-year senior captain and fourth-leading scorer, missed each of the Hoosiers’ games last week. A left knee injury suffered in the season finale against Michigan State benched Galloway — also Indiana’s assists leader — for the win over Penn State and the loss to Nebraska that eventually concluded the Hoosiers’ season.
Sitting in front of his locker Friday night, Galloway spoke softly. He acknowledged his disappointment at not being available for IU’s last-chance push to make something of its postseason. But Galloway also spoke optimistically about Indiana’s future, one he intends to play a leading role in.
“I was upset about it, that I wasn’t able to be there for the guys, to be able to compete in this tournament,” Galloway said. “But the good thing is, I have that chance next year to be back. That’s what we’re looking for. We’re gonna get after it this summer, get ready.”
A 3-and-D impact player last season, Galloway wound up taking over full-time point guard duties this winter after Xavier Johnson’s various injuries cost him more than a dozen games.
In that role, Galloway thrived. He posted some of the best single-game assist numbers in program history, becoming one of just four Hoosiers ever to post at least three 11-assist games. The company he keeps there: Isiah Thomas, Jamal Meeks, Michael Lewis.
Galloway also finished with a Big Ten games-only assist rate of 28.8%, sixth-best in the league. His creativity helped prompt a late-season turnaround that saw the Hoosiers tear off five wins in a row, the last of those the Penn State win on Thursday. A win Galloway watched from the bench in sweats.
“I wasn’t ready to go for the tournament. Obviously, it’s challenging because I want to be out there with my teammates, but I wasn’t able to get myself ready to come out here and compete with the guys,” Galloway said. “It hurts. We got hot at the right time. Having X back was so important to our team. We were clicking at the right time. Having me go out like that, it definitely disrupts things. It’s challenging.”
Galloway’s long-term prognosis remains positive, according to the player. While he wouldn’t say whether he might require offseason surgery, Galloway suggested he’ll be fully fit for the meat and bones of a crucial summer in Bloomington.
“Long term, I should be good, ready to go this offseason and back to where I was,” he said. “I’m not worried about anything long term, just listen to the doctors, see what they have to do and get ready to go.”
A first-time captain this winter, Galloway stepped into not just a larger statistical role but also one demanding greater leadership from the Culver Academy grad.
That did not always come easily. Galloway knew there would be and acknowledges now the growing pains he navigated. But having already declared his intention to return for his COVID-allowed fifth year — and determined to be an important voice in recruiting needed reinforcements from the transfer portal this spring — Galloway embraces the expectations that will come with doing the whole thing over again next winter.
