Tyrese Haliburton has rapidly become a household name in the world of basketball, particularly within the NBA, where he has been showcasing his exceptional skills as a point guard for the Indiana Pacers. Born on February 29, 2000, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Haliburton’s journey to the NBA is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and natural talent.
Haliburton’s passion for basketball was evident from an early age. He played for Oshkosh North High School in his hometown, where he led his team to a state championship in his senior season. His impressive performance earned him All-Fox Valley Association second team and defensive team honors as a sophomore. By his junior year, he was averaging 18 points, six assists, and five rebounds per game, securing the FVA Player of the Year and Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division I All-State accolades.
After high school, Haliburton attended Iowa State University, where he continued to refine his skills on the court. As a freshman, he set the program’s single-game assists record, and despite a season-ending wrist injury as a sophomore, he was named to the second team All-Big 12 Conference. His college career laid a solid foundation for his professional aspirations, and in 2020, he was selected by the Sacramento Kings as the 12th overall pick in the NBA draft.
Haliburton’s professional career began with the Sacramento Kings, where he quickly made a name for himself, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2021. However, it was after his trade to the Indiana Pacers in 2022 that his career truly took off. He has since earned back-to-back East All-Star selections, first as a reserve in 2023 and then as a starter in 2024. His leadership and playmaking abilities have been pivotal to the Pacers’ performance, and his recent signing of a five-year, $260-million maximum contract extension with the team in July 2023 indicates the franchise’s confidence in his potential and value to the team.
Haliburton’s talents have not gone unnoticed on the international stage either. In 2019, he led the United States to a gold medal at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Heraklion, Greece, and earned all-tournament team honors. His involvement with the 2021 USA Men’s Select Team, working directly with the US Olympic Men’s Basketball Team during training camp in Las Vegas, further highlights his growing reputation in the sport.
On the court, Haliburton is known for his vision, basketball IQ, and ability to facilitate plays. His height of 6 feet 5 inches gives him an advantage in both defense and playmaking. In the 2023-24 season, he led the NBA in assists, averaging 10.9 per game, while also scoring an impressive 20.1 points per game. His shooting efficiency, with a field goal percentage of 47.7%, makes him a reliable scorer and a threat from beyond the arc.