Improved jump shot part of ‘expanded offensive skillset’ for Indiana basketball guard Trey Galloway

The Indiana basketball program enters the 2023-24 season without the true definition of a ‘volume shooter’. It’s been a piece of the offense that has been truly missing for quite some time. While Indiana has had good shooters in the past — Miller Kopp, Parker Stewart, Al Durham 0r Devonte Green — it has been the consistency that its shooters have been lacking.

For senior guard Trey Galloway, he entered his Indiana career not known as a true volume or knockdown shooter, but one that could grow into one. After dealing with a few wrist injuries dating back to his senior year of high school, it wasn’t until a year ago that Galloway showed his potential from the perimeter.

“I spent a lot of time just working on my shot and really critiquing it,” Galloway said over Zoom on Thursday about last summer’s work. “And it wasn’t like a big jump or change or anything. But I really just tried to focus on just going back to my mechanics and doing the little things that helped me be able to make shots in games, and that was game reps and doing everything 100 percent when I was shooting and working on it.

“So I just spent a lot of time just getting a lot of reps and obviously with the help of the coaches, some of those guys really helped me develop that and get back to where I used to be.

“… I think Coach (Brian) Walsh really took time to truly help me with that, as well as Jordy Hulls. Those were two of the main guys that worked with me a lot last summer when I was out with the injury. So that was really all I was doing was shooting. So it was good.”

Those reps and that narrowed focus resulted in a huge jump in efficiency.

Galloway went from shooting 18.2 percent from three as a freshman to 21.4 percent as a sophomore. Then, as a junior he shot 46.2 percent from three. Galloway ranked second in the entire Big Ten in three-point percentage.

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He went from making 12 3s combined in his first two seasons to 30 made 3s last year.

The biggest reason behind his production was becoming more comfortable with his shot in games.

“I had a good rotation on the ball (before), but I think just shooting it up, that was my biggest thing. I was kind of flat on my shot my freshman and sophomore year, I wasn’t really getting it up,” Galloway said. “I think that came with kind of fatigue and not getting the game reps I needed and taking the right shots. But I think just doing that and shooting it up and practicing and getting the certain amount of reps that I needed to really help me.”

Galloway averaged 6.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game last season. He scored in double-figures in nine games, including a career-high 20 points.

While he’s not known for his scoring, it’s a part of his game that may be needed more often this season. With a large offensive cog in Trayce Jackson-Davis gone, along with four total starters including Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jalen Hood-Schifino, Galloway’s expanding offensive role is likely.

“I don’t really expect much change. I mean, obviously we do lose a lot of scoring and we know that, so I definitely can step it up there. But I think just doing the same things, all the little things that I’ve been known for doing, I feel like I can keep doing those,” Galloway added. ” … just whatever they need me to do, I’m willing to do. I think just expanding my game more on the offensive end, it’s gonna be a big thing for me this year.”

A coach’s son, Galloway lives in the gym, the weight room and the film room. His development has been evident since he arrived on campus.

The next step he takes will be even more critical, however. As a senior leader and an improved scorer, Galloway will play a large role in the success of the Indiana basketball season this year.

“I think just watching film, and growing my knowledge of the game, and seeing different things I can do to create more offense for us. I mean, because I think film really helps, and I think just seeing that and knowing what I can do to kind of expand my game will be big.

“And then going out there and replicating it in my workouts and doing different things, I think I’ve done a good job with that so far this summer. And I think just also being able to work on different things on the court while we’re playing. As well as just kind of trusting myself to make those plays. I think the coaches have done a good job of putting me in positions to expand my game.  So this this summer has been great to kind of see that and see what guys can do and see the guys play. It’s been good.”

SEE ALSO: Indiana basketball guard Trey Galloway discusses offseason development

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