Tyrese Haliburton, the unexpected star of the NBA Finals

The NBA Finals, which begin early Thursday morning (2:30 a.m. CET), promise thrilling action. For the first time in history, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers face off for the title. The Thunder haven't played in the Finals since 2012, while the Pacers haven't reached this stage since 2000.

Amidst this unprecedented and exciting series, Tyrese Haliburton stands out as the Pacers' star player. Born on February 29, 2000, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, he made it clear from a young age that his future lay in basketball. With rare peripheral vision and an uncanny ability to anticipate the game, he earned a scholarship to Iowa State, where in just two seasons he became one of the most promising point guards in the country.

Exchange In February 2022, he was traded from the Kings to the Pacers in exchange for Domantas Sabonis.

He was selected 12th overall in the 2020 draft by the Sacramento Kings, a team that still regrets trading him away. In February 2022, the Kings traded him to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Domantas Sabonis. Since then, the American point guard has only established himself as a natural leader with uncommon basketball intelligence.

In Indiana, he has become the soul of the team, averaging more than 10 assists per game in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. He was also an All-Star in 2023 (reserve) and 2024 (starter). This year, he was the face of the Pacers, who reached the NBA Finals after 25 years, breaking all odds and establishing himself as the new leader of the franchise. “What happened 25 years ago… I wasn't even 6 months old. I think this is a very special moment for our organization and for our fans,” said Tyrese Haliburton after defeating the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

"I wasn't even six months old. I think this is a very special moment for our organization and our fans." Tyrese Haliburton

Haliburton not only stands out for his stats (18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game this season), he's also a player who makes his teammates better. He's put in memorable performances in recent playoffs, such as a triple-double with 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks, where he silenced Madison Square Garden to prove he can dominate in high-pressure moments.

Despite his constant smile and relaxed body language, Tyrese Haliburton has known how to live with criticism. This April, he was voted the league 's most overrated player, with 14.4% of the vote, in an anonymous survey of 90 NBA players published by The Athletic . His response was brilliant. After eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs, he posted on social media the phrase "Overrate THAT."

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He was part of Team USA's gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, his presence in the tournament was limited. The point guard only played in three of the six games, averaging 2.7 points and 0.7 assists per game. The Pacers player was the least used player by Steve Kerr (8.8 minutes per game).

However, Haliburton has been instrumental in the Indiana Pacers' run this season, leading them to the NBA Finals. He is the only member of the U.S. Olympic team who will play in these Finals, highlighting his development and commitment to the Indianapolis franchise.

Olympics Haliburton was the US player Steve Kerr used the least.

The Olympic experience has served as motivation for him to channel his frustration into performing at his best with the Pacers. In fact, in July 2023, he signed a five-year contract extension with the Pacers for $260 million, making it clear that he wants to build a legacy in Indiana.

At 25 years old, Tyrese Haliburton not only leads the Pacers on the court, he also represents a new generation of players capable of connecting with a younger audience, reinventing their position, and proving that winning can be achieved by playing with intelligence and unselfishness. If modern basketball needs a face, Haliburton is ready to fill that role.

This contrast between a modest start on the international stage and his current status as a leader and key figure in the NBA underscores Haliburton's remarkable progression from a promising player to an established star, capable of leading his team to the NBA Finals.