Tyrese Haliburton, now a rising star with the Indiana Pacers, first showed his potential during his college days at Iowa State. Haliburton’s college career was filled with record-breaking performances and leadership, which laid the foundation for his professional success.
Haliburton, a 6 feet 5 inches guard, made an immediate impact in his debut season with the Iowa State Cyclones. He distinguished himself as a versatile player, adapting to various areas of the game. In his freshman year, he averaged 6.8 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in 35 appearances.
Interestingly, he was one of only two NCAA Division I true freshmen, alongside Zion Williamson, to record at least 50 steals and 30 blocks in the season. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.5 led the Big 12 Conference and ranked second nationally in Division I, highlighting his playmaking skills.
Season | Games | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% |
2018-19 | 35 | 6.8 | 3.4 | 3.6 | .515 | .434 |
2019-20 | 22 | 15.2 | 5.9 | 6.5 | .504 | .419 |
Career | 57 | 10.1 | 4.4 | 4.7 | .509 | .426 |
In his sophomore year, Haliburton improved his game further. He was selected as the Big 12 Player of the Week twice. In one outstanding performance against TCU, he scored a triple-double, the first for an Iowa State player since Monte Morris in 2016, with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
This performance showed his versatility as a player on the court. Even after a season-ending wrist injury, he finished the year with impressive averages of 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, earning a spot on the second-team All-Big 12.
Tyrese Haliburton averaged 10.1 points in his two-year college career
During his two-year career at Iowa State, Tyrese Haliburton made a name for himself on the court. He averaged 10.1 points per game, a number which does not tell the full story of his impact on the game. Beyond scoring, Haliburton was a solid playmaker and an important part of the Cyclones’ defense.
Tyrese Haliburton has shot 40% or better from three as…
A Freshman in college (43.4)
A Sophomore in college (41.9)
A rookie in the NBA (40.9)
A 2nd year player in the NBA (41.4)
A 3rd year player in the NBA (40.0) pic.twitter.com/xWFCBJOT8x— Josh Padmore (@JPadmore92) April 11, 2023
Apart from scoring ability, his vision and passing skills were also impressive. Haliburton was a key player in Iowa State’s offense strategy, as shown by his record-setting 17 assists in a single game against Southern. This playmaking skill with a low turnover rate, made him one of the most effective guards in college basketball.
In defense also Haliburton was equally impactful. His speed and anticipation made him a threat for steals, stopping the opposition’s offense regularly. Overall, Tyrese Haliburton had an excellent, well-rounded college career. His averages of 10.1 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.4 rebounds, laid a solid foundation for his future in the NBA.