Prospect Spotlight: Jesse Galloway (2018)
Long Beach Poly guard Jesse Galloway III often uses the hashtag “marathonszn” on Twitter to describe the continued progress in his game.
The Jackrabbits’ senior doesn’t get the most publicity when it comes to Southern California guards, or even Long Beach Poly guards, for that matter, but Galloway is confident that an increase in his offensive determination will have a positive impact on his game.
“I need to be a little bit more aggressive,” he said. “I think sometimes, and even coach preaches this, I’m a little too passive. I need to be harder on myself and my teammates, pushing ourselves a little bit more.”
Galloway is a silky smooth and crafty combo guard with an improving touch from 3-point range.
The 5-foot-10 scorer said he’s been able to hone his skills while learning from former Poly players, a program rich in basketball history.
“Playing at Poly means a lot because you have to keep the tradition going,” he said. “Keeping up that tradition of winning puts a lot of pressure on your shoulders, but you have to push through it.
“When the former players come back, they give pep talks and speeches,” Galloway added. “It motivates us a little bit more. Playing with them makes us a lot better.”
Long Beach Poly CG Jesse Galloway has heard from a handful of Division I programs.Playing for head coach Shelton Diggs, a Poly grad himself, has taught Galloway much more than just things that will translate on the court.
“The number one thing I learned from them is you have to be a leader,” he said. “If you’re not a leader, you’re not going to make it on coach Shelton (Diggs) team. You have to shoot when you need to shoot, get into the paint when you need to, get your teammates involved, and the main part is you have to be able to play defense.”
You have to work hard to play for coach Diggs,” Galloway added. “There’s always someone just as good as you at Poly, so you have to work harder than them no matter what.”
The 2017-18 installment of the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits will look much different than that of teams’ past.
Poly normally has at least one big man and a handful of long, athletic, 6-feet-5-plus wing players, but this year, the Jackrabbits will have to make due with no player over 6-feet-3.
“We have no size this year,” Galloway said. “We’re gonna have to play hard defense so we can get out and get steals. We have to be able to rebound, too, all five of us have to rebound.”
Poly is going to have to shoot it well from 3-point range, as well, something it known for, historically.
Galloway noted that the Jackrabbits got up plenty of triples over the last few months.
“This summer we did a lot of shooting drills,” he said. “Coach wants everyone to be able to shoot because of how small we are.”
As for his recruitment, Galloway said he’s hearing from a handful of Division I programs.
“I have a some college interest right now,” he said. “I have heard from Montana, UC Irvine and Pepperdine.”
Galloway and his family stress education as much, if not more, than basketball, and a school that fits his educational needs will be just as important as how it fits his style of play.
“I’m looking for a school where my style of play fits,” he said. “I like to work hard and get great coaching. I’m gravitating toward being a business major and would like to go to a school with a good business program.”