Team USA guard Tyrese Haliburton handles the ball in a game against Montenegro on September 1, 2023. (Mandatory Photo Credit: USA Basketball)
Tyrese Haliburton wants to play for Team USA in the Olympics: 'My dream would be to be able to play three Olympics'
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has two stints with Team USA — in 2019 with the U19 National Team as a part of the U19 Men's World Cup and right now with the senior team for the Men's Basketball World Cup. He has gotten to represent the United States on some of the largest stages in basketball.
Recently, Haliburton revealed that his goals are much bigger with the national team. He wants to represent the red, white, and blue in the Olympics. Multiple times, in fact.
"My dream would be to be able to play three Olympics," Haliburton said, per The Olympic Games. "That would be the goal, but obviously I've got to play one first."
The upcoming Olympic games will take place next summer in Paris. Team USA has already qualified thanks to the play of Haliburton and co in the World Cup. They will be in the 12-team field.
The United States' squad for the 2020 Summer Olympics (which took place in 2021) featured 12 players that are still active and playing in the NBA. Breaking into the mix for a spot could be difficult for Haliburton. But he is shining for Team USA right now and fits well in head coach Steve Kerr's system. He could be considered for the roster next year and will almost certainly be a finalist.
"My earliest memories are the Redeem Team in '08." Haliburton shared with The Olympics Games. "Watching all those games, I feel like that's right around when I really became a basketball junkie."
The guard became an NBA All-Star last season for the Pacers. He averaged 20.7 points and 10.4 assists per game while shooting 40% from long range. His combination of skills are hardly matched elsewhere in the NBA.
That's why he got the invite to play for Team USA in the World Cup this summer — he's a tremendous talent who makes those around him better. He has been the engine for some of the red, white, and blue's best lineups.
"It's definitely something I've always wanted to do. I wasn't old enough to watch the '04 Olympics, but since then the United States has won every Olympics: '08, '12, '16 and '21," Haliburton told The Olympic Games. "So for me, I just want to be a part of that and want to have a piece of that."
Currently, the 23-year old guard is averaging 9.3 points and 5.0 assists per game in the World Cup. He is shooting 62.5% from the field and 56% from long range. Team USA has outscored their opponents by 81 points in his minutes. He has been excellent.
"My biggest thing is I just want to take care of what's in front of me. And I think everything in the future will take care of itself," Haliburton said, per The Olympic Games. "I'm a part of the team right now. How do we win gold right now?"
For Team USA to win the gold medal in the World Cup, they would need to defeat Germany in the semifinals on Friday. That game will tip off at 8:40 a.m. Eastern Time. If they win, they will move on to the finals to play the winner of the Canada versus Serbia game. Winning that game would earn them the gold.
One more victory for Team USA, and Haliburton, will guarantee them at least a medal. Should that happen, it will be one of the great moments of Haliburton's career. In the future, though, he hopes to be wearing a medal earned from his play in the Olympics. If he keeps improving, both in the NBA and with Team USA, it's certainly possible.
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