Tyrese Haliburton, we are rooting for you (and Team USA) in the Quarterfinals this Tuesday

USA v Brazil
Olympic Men’s Basketball Quarterfinals
Tuesday, August 6 @ 3 PM
Watch on NBC or Peacock

In the final game of Group C play, Team USA dominated Puerto Rico, 104-83. Of the impressive roster of star basketball players to take the court for Team USA, Tyrese Haliburton was the only player to not score a single point. (Photo: Courtesy USA Basketball)

Statistics Source: ESPN “Box Score”

Over the course of the 10 minutes Haliburton was on the court, he also recorded no assists and no rebounds. His single field goal attempt missed, as did his single shot from outside the arc. The only notable marks on his stats for the game were a single steal, and a single personal foul.

What Haliburton brings to Team USA is not easily quantified, but something basketball fans in our broader community recognize–and applaud. Haliburton exudes teamwork, and amidst a group of the hottest basketball players in the game today, it can be easily overlooked.

On the professional court, his team-centric approach is seen in how he shares the spotlight with New Mexico State alum, Pascal Siakam. Listen to how Haliburton describes his first game with Siakam in this interview on the “the Old Man & the Three” podcast:

The moment Tyrese Haliburton knew Pascal Siakam would be good fit in Indy

This kind of teamwork is something we, in our broader community, have grown to recognize. Every successful team out of New Mexico State University depended on it. For the Aggies, the star that shone brightest has always been the team. In a collection of the brightest stars, Team USA needs a Tyrese Haliburton to deflect the light from himself, and to show his teammates the rewards of putting team above personal glory.

Redemption Fuels Tyrese Haliburton’s Olympic Experience

On a 2024 Olympic Team filled with NBA MVPs, All-Pros and All Stars, Tyrese Haliburton has a lot to prove to the world during this Olympic Games.

Source: USA Basketball
Author: Levi Edwards

At 24 years old, he is the second youngest player on the team, only senior to his good friend Anthony Edwards who is 22. The two are back representing their nation after donning the red, white and blue during the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup.

While Haliburton averaged a team-high 5.6 assists per game during the event, his country finished with a 5-3 record. The United States finished fourth, their second straight World Cup appearance without a medal.

“Last year we spent like a month, 40 days together [as a team] and left with nothing,” Halliburton said, reflecting on last years’ experience. “I left with great experiences, good friends, good relationships, but we’re all there at the end of the day to win a medal.”

Article posted by:

Levi Gwaltney

Levi Gwaltney is the Editor In Chief of Las Cruces Digest. The Editor makes editorial and posting decisions regarding content published on this site. In most cases, the Editor makes little if any contribution to content published, and takes no credit for the content of republished posts. If available, the source or author of posts is provided at the top of the article.