Galloway has NBA goals

DURING THE preseason, Hawks star Langston Galloway was apprehensive about traveling to Italy because he was afraid of flying over the Atlantic Ocean.

But Galloway regained his comfort level during the regular season back in Hagan Arena, eventually leading Saint Joseph's to the 2013-14 Atlantic 10 Tournament title and an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

Last Sunday, Galloway had his first NBA Draft workout, with the Sixers, a process that gave him the same jitters as he had during St. Joe's preseason travels.

"The workout with the Sixers went well," Galloway said in a phone interview yesterday afternoon. "It was my first workout, so it was all nerves, but it was very exciting at the same time. I think I did OK. Teams have been impressed with how well I can shoot the ball and watching me improve on my point-guard skills. I'm just trying to show off what I can do."

Galloway worked out Sunday with Xavier's Semaj Christon, Delaware's Devon Saddler, Florida's Casey Prather, Pittsburgh's Lamar Patterson and New Mexico's Kendal Williams.

Yesterday, Galloway worked out for the Indiana Pacers with Missouri's Jabari Brown, Georgetown's Markel Starks and Washington's C.J. Wilcox.

And even though Galloway has had strong workouts so far, he is still clueless as to where he'll end up.

"I'm not sure where I will get drafted," Galloway said. "I'll just keep working hard and doing well at the workouts, but if I don't get drafted I'll still be working hard no matter where I end up and I'll still be pursuing my dream of making the NBA."

Galloway, a Baton Rouge, La., native, averaged 17.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 rebounds per game in his senior season with the Hawks. Labeled as a "deep threat" he made 44.3 percent of his three-point shots, good for 12th in the NCAA.

The 6-2, 202-pound combo guard was the second leading scorer in Hawks' history and all-time leader in three-pointers made in a career. Galloway was named to the A-10 First Team and the Big 5 First Team.

With the draft process winding down, Galloway said it would be "special" if he ended up with the Sixers, but he would have no problem starting his career in Europe, even though it would mean another overseas flight.

"I wouldn't have any issue with it," Galloway said when asked about the option of playing in Europe. "I would actually enjoy the process and take full advantage of it. Just being picked up by somebody, knowing that they are willing to take a chance on me, that would be a big step in my process."

Galloway has built up a strong buzz among NBA front offices after his robust performance in April's Portsmouth Invitational.

Michael Siegel, his agent, said he has heard from all 30 NBA teams and that Galloway has "opened a lot of eyes" around the NBA leading up to the June 26 draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

"The feedback on him thus far has been positive," Siegel said yesterday. "[Teams have said] he's a great shooter, surprisingly good passer, high basketball IQ, tremendous character and work ethic. Given these qualities and the fact that NBA executives see them translating into what defines a 'safe' second-round draft pick or free-agent signing, I think Langston has a very bright future in professional basketball."