BATON ROUGE – New Orleans Pelicans guard Langston Galloway said Saturday that a primary message to kids at his inaugural basketball camp was the importance of being a student-athlete, but another prominent theme could’ve been “family.” The 24-year-old didn’t need to go far to find help for his daylong camp, with the friendly faces in attendance including both of his parents and his wife Sabrina, whom Galloway recently married. His support team also even consisted of an executive from Galloway’s former NBA team, New York Knicks front-office member Allan Houston, who flew from the Big Apple to near the Big Easy in order to participate.
It’s already been a banner summer for Galloway, who on June 25 got married to his high school sweetheart – Sabrina is a fellow Baton Rouge native, who graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans – then signed with his home state’s NBA team July 21. This weekend, the former Christian Life Academy hoops standout hosted his one-day camp, drawing scores of local youngsters of all ages.
“It definitely feels good. I’m excited,” he said of being able to return to his Louisiana roots. “My wife and I have definitely tried to do as much as possible in the community. (Coming home) definitely helped us both, because she’s going to get to go back to school and get her MBA (also at Loyola).
“It’s been amazing. I’m really appreciative of everyone that’s been supporting me throughout my career. Us getting married a few weeks ago, it’s definitely been a crazy ride so far, and now to be back home, it’s definitely great times.”
“We have such a great support system with family and friends,” said Sabrina, who has launched a career locally as a political consultant. “It’s nice to receive the warm welcome. We couldn’t ask for a better time. We’re excited.”
Langston has dealt with Northeast winters for the past six years, including playing four years at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, then joining the Knicks organization in 2014. Prior to college, he grew up as a New Orleans fan of the then-Hornets, with fond memories of the late-2000s Chris Paul/David West era.
“Now it’s a dream come true to play back home,” he said. “I’m definitely excited.”
In a 2016 filled with unforgettable moments, Galloway will experience another this fall when he dons a New Orleans uniform for the first time and represents the Pelican State. However, well before then, he and Sabrina will embark on their honeymoon, starting Tuesday. Asked where the couple will be traveling, Langston smiled and politely declined to answer, saying he’s keeping it a surprise for his new bride.
“I’m not telling anyone,” he said. “I’m keeping it a secret. She’ll see once she looks at the boarding pass.”