Tyrese Haliburton Bio
Tyrese John Haliburton is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on February 29, 2000, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Haliburton is a two-time NBA All-Star and a two-time All-NBA Third Team selection. He is widely regarded as one of the league’s premier point guards, recognized for his elite passing, perimeter shooting, and late-game composure.
Nicknamed “Hali” and “the Haliban,” Tyrese Haliburton first gained national attention as a college standout at Iowa State, where he set the program’s single-game assists record as a freshman. Selected 12th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2020 NBA Draft, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers in 2022 and has since emerged as the face of the franchise. In 2025, he led Indiana to its first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years before suffering a torn right Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the Finals.
Early Life and Background
Tyrese John Haliburton was born on February 29, 2000, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a leap day that has become part of his public identity. He is the son of John and Brenda Haliburton. His father, John, is a basketball referee and former women’s basketball coach, while his mother, Brenda, has attended nearly all of her son’s basketball games throughout his life. Haliburton has a younger brother, Marcel, from his parents’ marriage, as well as two older half-brothers from his mother’s previous relationship.
Tyrese Haliburton is biracial; his father is African-American and his mother is white. Growing up in Oshkosh, he was immersed in basketball from an early age, influenced heavily by his father’s involvement in the sport. He attended Oshkosh North High School, where he developed into one of Wisconsin’s top high school prospects. His senior season was particularly dominant, as he averaged 22.9 points, 6.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game while leading Oshkosh North to a 26–1 record and a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I state championship.
Haliburton earned multiple individual honors in high school, including Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year, Oshkosh Northwestern All-Area Player of the Year, and a spot on the USA Today All-USA Wisconsin first team. Rated as a three-star recruit by major scouting services, he committed to Iowa State on September 18, 2017, choosing the Cyclones over other suitors.
Path to Basketball
Tyrese Haliburton made his college debut for the Iowa State Cyclones on November 6, 2018, recording 12 points, four rebounds, and four assists in a 79–53 victory over Alabama State. His breakout moment came on December 9, 2018, when he posted 15 points and 17 assists with just one turnover in a 101–65 win over Southern. That 17-assist performance set the Iowa State single-game assists record, surpassing a mark that had stood since 1974.
As a freshman, Haliburton was the only NCAA Division I true freshman, other than Zion Williamson, to accumulate at least 50 steals and 30 blocks. His 4.5 assist-to-turnover ratio led the Big 12 Conference and ranked second nationally. During his sophomore campaign, he continued to elevate his game, recording the first Iowa State triple-double since Monté Morris in 2016 with a 22-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist performance against TCU on January 4, 2020. He was named Big 12 Player of the Week twice that season.
Haliburton’s sophomore year was cut short when he fractured his left wrist on February 8, 2020, against Kansas State. Despite the injury, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game and was named to the second-team All-Big 12. Following the season, he declared for the 2020 NBA Draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Tyrese Haliburton Career
Sacramento Kings Era (2020–2022)
Tyrese Haliburton was selected with the 12th overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2020 NBA Draft. He officially signed with the team on November 27, 2020, and made his NBA debut on December 23 of that year, coming off the bench to score 12 points in a 124–122 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets. He quickly established himself as a reliable contributor, demonstrating his trademark passing vision and defensive instincts.
Haliburton earned a reputation as a clutch performer in Sacramento, recording a career-high six steals on April 14, 2021, against the Washington Wizards. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team after his debut season. His final game as a King came on February 5, 2022, when he tallied 13 points, a then-career-high 17 assists, six rebounds, and two steals in a 113–103 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shortly after, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers as part of a package for Domantas Sabonis.
Indiana Pacers Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Tyrese Haliburton made his Pacers debut on February 11, 2022, scoring 23 points with six assists, three rebounds, and three steals in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the 26 games he played for Indiana after the trade, he averaged 17.5 points and 9.6 assists, immediately justifying the franchise’s decision to build around him. On July 1, 2023, he agreed to a five-year maximum contract extension worth up to $260 million, securing his long-term future with the team.
The 2023–24 season represented Haliburton’s emergence as a true star. He earned his first NBA All-Star selection in 2023 as an Eastern Conference reserve, then was voted an All-Star starter in 2024. On April 5, 2024, he logged his 714th assist of the season, surpassing Mark Jackson for the most assists in a single season in Pacers franchise history. He finished the campaign on the All-NBA Third Team, his first career All-NBA selection. In the playoffs, he helped lead Indiana past the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks before a hamstring injury sidelined him during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics.
Indiana Pacers Era (2024–2025)
Tyrese Haliburton continued his ascent in 2024–25, producing several historic performances. On January 2, 2025, he recorded 33 points, 15 assists, and zero turnovers in a victory over the Miami Heat, becoming the first player in NBA history to record multiple games with at least 30 points and 15 assists without a turnover. He was once again named to the All-NBA Third Team, becoming a back-to-back All-NBA selection.
The 2025 NBA playoffs cemented Haliburton’s reputation as a clutch performer. He hit multiple game-winning shots, including a four-point play against the Milwaukee Bucks and a game-winning layup to eliminate the Bucks in the first round. Against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, he recorded a triple-double of 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists with zero turnovers in Game 4, becoming the first player in playoff history to achieve that statistical line. He then led Indiana past the Knicks in six games to reach his first NBA Finals and the Pacers’ first Finals appearance since 2000.
In the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Haliburton opened with a game-winning jumper with 0.3 seconds left in Game 1, completing a 15-point comeback. However, his postseason ended tragically in Game 7 when he tore his right Achilles tendon in the first quarter, and the Pacers ultimately fell 103–91 to the Thunder. On July 7, 2025, the Pacers announced he would miss the entire 2025–26 season due to the injury.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although this article covers basketball rather than motorsport, Tyrese Haliburton’s on-court style mirrors the craft of a calculated playmaker. He is a 6-foot-5 point guard known for elite passing, high-volume three-point shooting, and a remarkably low turnover rate. His Pacers teams have played a fast pace, with Haliburton directing the offense and exploiting defensive gaps with his vision. Analysts have described his shooting form as unconventional yet highly effective, and his late-game shotmaking has drawn comparisons to some of the league’s greatest closers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Tyrese Haliburton owns several notable records and milestones. He set the Iowa State single-game assists record with 17 assists in 2018 and surpassed Mark Jackson’s Pacers single-season assists record in 2024. He became the first player in NBA history to record multiple games with at least 30 points and 15 assists with zero turnovers and the first in playoff history to log 30-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, and 15-plus assists without a turnover. His game-winning jumper in Game 1 of the 2025 Finals was the latest go-ahead shot in an NBA Finals game since Michael Jordan’s 1997 buzzer-beater.
Tyrese Haliburton Career Wins
Tyrese Haliburton’s career has been marked by team success at every level. He led Oshkosh North to a Wisconsin Division I state championship in 2018 and helped Iowa State to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. With the Pacers, he guided Indiana to the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals and the 2025 NBA Finals, the franchise’s deepest postseason run in 25 years. He also won gold medals with USA Basketball at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
NBA Highlights
Tyrese Haliburton has been selected to two NBA All-Star Games (2023, 2024), two All-NBA Third Teams (2024, 2025), and the NBA All-Rookie First Team (2021). He led the NBA in assists during the 2023–24 season. His playoff highlights include a 35-point performance against the Knicks in 2024 and multiple game-winning shots during the 2025 postseason, including series-clinching baskets against the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Thunder. He also helped the Pacers reach the Eastern Conference Finals in both 2024 and 2025.
Other Wins and Performances
On the international stage, Tyrese Haliburton helped the United States win gold at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Heraklion, Greece, earning all-tournament team honors. He was part of the U.S. squad that finished fourth at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, helping the team qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Team USA ultimately won gold. He was also a member of the 2021 USA Men’s Select Team that supported the U.S. Olympic squad in Tokyo.
Tyrese Haliburton Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Tyrese Haliburton comes from a basketball-oriented family. His father, John Haliburton, is a basketball referee and former women’s basketball coach, and his mother, Brenda Haliburton, has been a fixture at his games throughout his career. He is a cousin of former NBA player Eddie Jones, a three-time All-Star who played 14 seasons in the league, and is also related to current Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs. His younger brother, Marcel, has also been part of his personal support system.
Personal Life
Tyrese Haliburton is a Christian and has spoken publicly about the growth of his faith in recent years, noting that he attends church on Sundays and chapel before games whenever possible. He has been dating Jade Jones, a former classmate and cheerleader at Iowa State, since 2019. On July 28, 2025, it was announced that the couple became engaged. Haliburton has also developed a close friendship with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, his contemporary in the Indiana basketball market.
2025 Season Performance
Tyrese Haliburton’s 2024–25 campaign was the most decorated regular season of his career. He averaged near double-double numbers, was named to his second consecutive All-NBA Third Team, and led the league in assist-related efficiency. He set new Pacers franchise benchmarks and tied or broke several NBA records, including becoming the first player in league history to record multiple 30-point, 15-assist, zero-turnover games.
The 2025 NBA playoffs became the defining chapter of his season. Tyrese Haliburton delivered a string of clutch performances, eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round with a game-winning layup, finishing off the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games, and outdueling the New York Knicks to reach the NBA Finals. In Game 1 of the Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he sank a game-winning jumper with 0.3 seconds left to complete a 15-point comeback.
Unfortunately, Tyrese Haliburton’s season ended in heartbreak during Game 7 of the NBA Finals, when he tore his right Achilles tendon in the first quarter. Indiana went on to lose the deciding game to the Thunder, and the Pacers later announced on July 7, 2025, that he would miss the entirety of the 2025–26 season while recovering. His performance throughout the playoffs, however, cemented his reputation as one of the most clutch players in the league.
