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2020 NBA Draft Profile: Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State

OVERVIEW

Haliburton is another player who rose from unheralded recruit to likely lottery pick.

He was a three-star recruit out of high school, at least partially because he was not evaluated much while mostly absent from the AAU circuit. But after two seasons at Iowa State, Haliburton is a ready-made point guard.

Haliburton boasts a long 6-foot-5, 175-pound frame. He possesses a high basketball IQ, with natural feel and vision. He uses sharp passing to make plays for teammates. And he is an effective spot-up shooter.

Haliburton averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game this season.

ANALYSIS

Haliburton will not blow anybody away with his athleticism, which could limit his ability to drive and finish at the NBA level.

Instead, he is a dependable ball-handler capable of manipulating the defense, and an excellent decision-maker. He also has experience playing off the ball and alongside NBA talent, such as Cyclone-turned-Laker Talen Horton-Tucker.

Basketball purists will nitpick Haliburton’s funky jumper mechanics. But he shot 50.9 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from 3-point range over his two college seasons.

Defensively, Haliburton has struggled a bit in 1-on-1 situations. He has exhibited strong instincts within a team concept, where he can use his length to disrupt passing lanes and rotate.

Haliburton does not have the upside of fellow point guards LeMelo Ball or Killian Hayes. He may never develop into a full-time starter. But he immediately projects as a solid backup combo guard, and could be the most equipped to contribute right away.

PROJECTION

Lottery pick

2020 NBA DRAFT PROFILES

–Field Level Media ()