Tyrese Haliburton

Tyrese John Haliburton ( HAL-ih-bur-tən; born February 29, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A point guard, he played college basketball for the Iowa State Cyclones and was selected by the Sacramento Kings 12th overall in the 2020 NBA draft. In 2022, Haliburton was acquired by the Indiana Pacers as part of a trade package for Domantas Sabonis. He earned back-to-back East All-Star selections, as a reserve in 2023, and as a starter in 2024.

Born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Haliburton was a consensus three-star recruit from Oshkosh North High School, whom he led to a state championship in his senior season. As a freshman with Iowa State, he set the program's single-game assists record. He had breakout success as a sophomore and was named to the second team All-Big 12 Conference despite suffering a season-ending wrist injury.

In 2019, Haliburton led the United States to a gold medal and earned all–tournament team honors at the FIBA Under–19 World Cup in Heraklion, Greece. In 2021, Haliburton was named to the 2021 USA Men's Select Team, working directly with the US Olympic Men's Basketball Team during training camp in Las Vegas, Nevada, prior to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, in which the United States were crowned champions for the 16th time.

High school career

Haliburton played basketball for Oshkosh North High School in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. As a sophomore, he was named to the All-Fox Valley Association (FVA) second team and defensive team. In his junior season, Haliburton averaged 18 points, six assists, and five rebounds per game, earning FVA Player of the Year and Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division I All-State accolades with his team falling just short of the State Tournament.

As a senior, he averaged 22.9 points, 6.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 1.7 blocks per game, leading Oshkosh North to a 26–1 record. On February 18, 2018, he scored a career-high 42 points in a win over Kaukauna High School and West Virginia recruit Jordan Mccabe. Haliburton scored 31 points, including 24 in the second half, and shot 18–of–18 from the free throw line in a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I state championship victory over Brookfield East High School, his program's first state title. He was named Oshkosh Northwestern All-Area Player of the Year, Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year, and FVA co-Player of the Year. Haliburton was selected to the WBCA Division I All-State team and the USA Today All-USA Wisconsin first team.

Recruiting

Considered a three-star recruit by major recruiting services, he committed to playing college basketball for Iowa State on September 18, 2017.

College career

On November 6, 2018, Haliburton made his college debut for Iowa State, posting 12 points, four rebounds, and four assists in a 79–53 win over Alabama State. He scored a season-high 16 points in an 82–55 victory against Omaha on November 26. On December 9, Haliburton recorded 15 points and 17 assists, with one turnover, in a 101–65 win over Southern. His 17 assists were the most by an Iowa State player in any game, surpassing the previous record set by Eric Heft in 1974. Through 35 appearances in his freshman season, Haliburton averaged 6.8 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He was the only NCAA Division I true freshman, other than Zion Williamson, to accumulate at least 50 steals and 30 blocks. Haliburton had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.5, which led the Big 12 Conference and ranked second in Division I.

Haliburton was named Big 12 Player of the Week on November 11, 2019, during his sophomore season, after averaging 13.5 points and 13.0 assists in wins over Mississippi Valley State and Oregon State. On November 27, he scored a season-high 25 points, to go with nine rebounds and five assists, in an 83–76 loss to Michigan at the Battle 4 Atlantis. On January 4, 2020, Haliburton recorded 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in an overtime loss to TCU, the first triple-double by an Iowa State player since Monté Morris in 2016. He was subsequently named Big 12 Player of the Week for the second time. After fracturing his left wrist on February 8 during a game against Kansas State, Haliburton was ruled out for the rest of the season. He averaged 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game as a sophomore. Haliburton was named to the second team All-Big 12. After the season, he announced that he would enter the 2020 NBA draft and forgo his remaining college basketball eligibility.

Professional career

Sacramento Kings (2020–2022)

2020–21: All-Rookie honors

Haliburton was selected with the 12th pick by the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft. On November 27, 2020, the Kings officially announced they had signed Haliburton. On December 23, 2020, Haliburton made his NBA debut, coming off the bench in a 124–122 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets with 12 points, four assists, two rebounds and a block. On April 14, 2021, Haliburton recorded a career-high 6 steals in a 123–111 loss to the Washington Wizards.

On May 2, 2021, Haliburton suffered a left knee injury against the Dallas Mavericks. Although an MRI later revealed no ligament damage, it was announced Haliburton would miss the last seven games of the 2020–21 season for the Kings as precaution. After the season, Haliburton finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

2021–22: Midseason trade

On January 29, 2022, Haliburton scored his Kings then career-high 38 points along with seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals in a 103–101 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers. On February 5, Haliburton posted his Kings then career-high 17 assists, along with 13 points, six rebounds, and two steals in a 113–103 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Indiana Pacers (2022–present)

2021–22: First season in Indy

On February 8, 2022, Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson were traded to the Pacers in exchange for Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, and a 2023 second-round pick. At the time of the trade, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle referred to Haliburton as "an elite young point guard that affects the game positively in many, many ways".

On February 11, Haliburton made his Pacers debut in a 120–113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, logging 23 points in addition to 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals. On February 13, in his second game with the Pacers, Haliburton posted 22 points and 16 assists in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. On February 16, Haliburton recorded 21 points and 14 assists in his first win with the Pacers, defeating the Washington Wizards 113–108.

Haliburton participated in the NBA's 2022 Rising Stars Challenge alongside teammate Chris Duarte. Haliburton and Desmond Bane were the winners of the 2022 Clorox Clutch Challenge, an event for the 75th season at the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend. On March 23, in the first game against his former team, Haliburton recorded 13 points, 15 assists, and 3 steals in a one–point loss to the Sacramento Kings. On April 1, Haliburton scored 30 points in 25 minutes on an efficient 10–11 shooting from the field, 6–6 from three, and 4–4 from the free–throw line, in a loss to the Boston Celtics. The next game, on April 3, Haliburton tallied a near triple–double with 19 points, 17 assists, 9 rebounds, and 0 turnovers against the Detroit Pistons, recording the most assists in a game by a Pacer since T.J. McConnell in the 2020–21 season.

2022–23: First All-Star selection

On October 19, 2022, in the season–opener, Haliburton scored 26 points and dished out 7 assists in a loss to the Washington Wizards. On November 21, Haliburton was selected Eastern Conference Player of the Week, leading the Pacers to a 3–0 record while averaging 21 points, 11 assists, and 4 rebounds. On November 29, Haliburton became the first player in NBA history to record 40+ assists and 0 turnovers in a 3–game stretch, averaging 20 points, 13.3 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game. On December 10, Haliburton recorded 35 points on 12–15 shooting from the field and 7–8 from three, along with 9 assists and 3 steals in a 136–133 loss against the Brooklyn Nets. On December 21, in a 117–112 win against the Boston Celtics, Haliburton tallied 33 points, 8 assists, on 12–24 shooting from the field and 6–13 from three. Two days later, on December 23, Haliburton made a game–winning three–pointer and finished with a then career-high 43 points on a Pacers franchise-record 10 three-pointers made along with seven assists in a 121–118 win over the Miami Heat.

On January 12, 2023, Haliburton missed two weeks due to elbow and knee injuries, with the team going 1–9 in his absence. In his return on February 2, against the Los Angeles Lakers, Haliburton tallied 26 points, 12 assists, and 2 steals. On February 13, Haliburton scored 30 points on 12–24 shooting, along with 12 assists and 3 steals in a loss against the Utah Jazz. Haliburton was named to his first ever NBA All–Star Game in 2023 as a reserve guard for the Eastern Conference, recording 18 points, 3 assists, and a rebound. Haliburton and teammate Buddy Hield were selected to participate in the 2023 NBA Three-Point Contest, where they both lost in the finals to Damian Lillard. On February 28, Haliburton scored 32 points on 9–18 shooting, along with 7 rebounds and 6 assists in a 124–122 win over the Dallas Mavericks. On March 5, Haliburton made his second game–winning three–pointer of the season in a 125–122 win against the Chicago Bulls, finishing with 29 points on 11–17 field–goals, 6–9 from three, along with 11 assists. The next day, on March 6, against the Philadelphia 76ers, Haliburton posted his 30th double–double of the season with 39 points and 16 assists, becoming the first player in Pacers franchise history to record 30+ points and 15+ assists in a single game. The next game, on March 9, Haliburton scored 29 points while dishing out a career–high 19 assists in a 134–125 overtime win over the Houston Rockets. Haliburton became the 15th player in NBA history to average 20+ points and 10+ assists for an entire season while becoming the first to do so on 40%+ three–point shooting.

2023–24: Max contract extension

On July 1, 2023, Haliburton agreed to a max contract extension with the Pacers worth up to $260 million over five years. The same day, it was announced that Haliburton would represent the United States Men's National Team at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

On November 4, Haliburton tied a then career-high 43 points and added 12 assists in a one-point loss to the Charlotte Hornets. He also became the first player in Pacers history to put up at least 40+ points and 10+ assists in a game. On November 6, two days later, Haliburton recorded 23 points and 8 assists along with 3 threes made, in a 41-point win over the San Antonio Spurs, giving head coach Rick Carlisle his 900th career win. On November 12, Haliburton recorded 25 points, 17 assists, and 0 turnovers in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. He became the third-youngest player in NBA history with 25+ points and 15+ assists with no turnovers, joining Allen Iverson and Chris Paul. On November 14, two days later, Haliburton recorded a near triple–double with 33 points, 15 assists, 7 rebounds, 0 turnovers, along with 7 threes made, in a 2023 in-season tournament win over Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and the Philadelphia 76ers. He became just the 5th player in NBA history to have 30+ points, 15+ assists, and 0 turnovers in a single game, joining John Stockton, Chris Paul, LeBron James, and James Harden. He also became the first player in NBA history with 25+ points, 15+ assists, and 0 turnovers in consecutive games since tracking began in 1977–78. On November 30, Haliburton scored a career-high 44 points along with 10 assists in a 142–132 loss against the Miami Heat. At the end of November, Haliburton joined Lebron James and Michael Jordan as the only players in league history to average at least 25 points and 10 assists per game while shooting 50 and 40 percent from the floor and three-point range, respectively, in a single month. LeBron did so in February 2017 as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jordan did so in March 1989 with the Chicago Bulls.

On December 4, Haliburton recorded his first career triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists, and 0 turnovers in a 122–112 win against the Boston Celtics. He became just the third player since the league began tracking turnovers during the 1977–78 season to record 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 10+ assists in a single game without turning the ball over a single time at age 23 or younger, joining Nikola Jokić and Grant Hill as the only players to notch the aforementioned feat. On December 7, Haliburton scored 27 points, 15 assists, and 7 rebounds in a 128–119 win in the semifinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament against the Milwaukee Bucks. On December 28, Haliburton recorded 20 points, a then career-high 20 assists, and zero turnovers in a 120–104 win against the Chicago Bulls. He became just the second player in NBA history to record 20+ points and 20+ assists without a turnover, joining Chris Paul in 2016. On December 30, Haliburton scored 22 points and recorded a career-high 23 assists during a 140–126 win over the New York Knicks. He joined John Stockton and Magic Johnson as the only players in NBA history to record back-to-back 20-point and 20-assist games. His 23 assists also tied Jamaal Tinsley’s Pacers franchise record for the most assists in a game.

On January 25, 2024, Haliburton was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, in Indianapolis, marking his second consecutive selection and his first selection as a starter. On February 5, it was announced Haliburton would return to participate in the 2024 NBA Three-Point Contest for the second consecutive season. During the All-Star Game, Haliburton scored a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to eclipse the 200 point mark for the Eastern Conference, as the East All-Stars won the game 211–186. On April 5, in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Haliburton logged his 714th assist of the season, passing Mark Jackson for the most assists made in a season in Pacers franchise history.

On April 26, 2024, Haliburton logged a triple-double of 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 16 assists, alongside a game-winning and-1 in the Pacers' 121–118 overtime win in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks.

National team career

Haliburton played for the United States at the 2019 FIBA Under–19 World Cup in Heraklion, Greece. Haliburton played alongside rising young NBA prospects, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, and Jalen Suggs. On June 30, 2019, he scored a team-high 21 points, shooting 8-of-9 from the field, in a 102–84 group stage win over Lithuania. Haliburton averaged 7.9 points and a tournament-leading 6.9 assists per game while shooting 69 percent from the field. He led the United States to a gold medal and was named to the all-tournament team's All-Star Five.

Haliburton was named to the 2021 USA Men's Select Team, working directly with the US Olympic Men's Basketball Team during training camp in Las Vegas, Nevada, prior to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, in which the United States were crowned champions for the 16th time. Alongside Haliburton, the Select Team consisted of young NBA talent, Anthony Edwards, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson, Miles Bridges, Saddiq Bey, and future Pacers teammate Obi Toppin.

Haliburton was selected to represent the United States Men's National Team at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Pasay, Philippines, at Mall of Asia Arena. The team consisted of young established NBA stars alongside Haliburton including, Brandon Ingram, Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mikal Bridges, Paolo Banchero, and more. On August 28, 2023, Haliburton recorded 9 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, a steal, and a team–high 3 blocks, in a 109–81 win over Greece. Two days later, he recorded a team–high 6 assists to go along with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and a steal, in a 110–62 win over Jordan. On September 1, 2023, Haliburton again led the team with 6 assists, to go along with 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals, in a 85–73 win over Montenegro. Two days later, Haliburton tied Jalen Brunson's team–high of 7 assists, in a 110–104 loss to Lithuania. On September 5, 2023, in the 100–63 quarterfinals win against Italy, Haliburton scored a personal career–high 18 points, a team–high 5 assists, as well as 4 rebounds, and 3 steals, on 6–8 shooting from three. Effectively, he became the 3rd player in history to make 6+ three–pointers in a quarterfinal game at the World Cup, joining Patty Mills with 6 in 2019, and Larry Ayuso with 7 in 2002. On September 8 and 10, 2023, Haliburton again led the team with 8 assists and 7 assists respectively in losses to Germany in the semifinals and Canada in the bronze game. Across eight games, Haliburton averaged 8.6 points, 5.6 assists, 3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.1 blocks, shooting 51% from the field and 47% from three, on 21.5 minutes per game off the bench. He led the team in steals and assists, helping the United States to a fourth–place finish, successfully qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Career statistics

NBA

College

Personal life

Haliburton's father, John, is a basketball referee. Haliburton is a cousin of former basketball player Eddie Jones, who had a 14-year NBA career and was a three-time NBA All-Star. He is also the cousin of current Orlando Magic player Jalen Suggs.

Haliburton is a Christian. He has said, “My faith has grown a lot over the last year or two. Growing up we didn’t go to church a lot, but we understood God’s place in our lives. Now that I’m an adult I guess — I own a house now and live on my own — I go to church on Sunday every chance I can. I go to chapel before games.”

Haliburton is one of four players in NBA history born on February 29.

References

External links

• Media related to Tyrese Haliburton at Wikimedia Commons
• Iowa State Cyclones bio