Tyrese Haliburton

Draft Notes

Tyrese is a tall and long point guard/position-less basketball player who looks like he’ll be a lottery selection and possible top 6 pick in October. He’s not the most flashy player in the class but seems destined for a long NBA career and has plenty of untapped upside.

Strengths

Tyrese has great court vision, great positional size and a willingness to pass the rock, and is one of the best pure passers in the draft. But he can also play off the ball, hit the open 3 and can defend 1-3 giving him tons of versatility.

Tyrese has a great feel for the game and this shows up in many ways. He reads the flight of the ball well and crashes the glass from good angles and is really effective rebounding the ball. He seems to see one step ahead of the play and knows how to be in the right spot at the right time. His passing brilliance is often subtle, seeing the play before it happens, looking off defenders and drawing the help defender. He’ll be a good hockey-assist guy in the NBA and is always willing to make the extra pass.

He’s not a very high scoring player but he seems to have a constant impact on the game. He can score when needed and has some iso game but his strength is as an ultra long, athletic, versatile, team-first guy.

His outside shot isn’t exactly a thing of beauty but his shot selection is off the charts and he knocks down open shots consistently. This past year he showed an improved jumper from his freshman season and we can expect that positive trend to continue into his NBA career. His shot isn’t textbook but it isn’t broken. He can put the ball in the basket.

His overall athleticism and length are what really sets him apart. He’s got long strides and an extra gear to get by the defender and he’s got springy legs. He’s lanky but coordinated. And he should be able to add some strength to his frame.

He’s a disruptive defender who can guard all over the court. He uses his length well to shut down drives to the hoop and he’s got quick hands.

He crashes the defensive boards well and loves to rip and run.

Weaknesses

Tyrese isn’t the most creative player and has some struggles getting his own shot.

He doesn’t shoot particularly well off the dribble and his slow release gives the defender plenty of time to react and challenge the shot.

He projects as more of a glue-guy starter rather than a star player and probably won’t be a first or second option offensively.

Comparisons

• Shawn Livingston
• Michael Carter-Williams’ upside
• He’s built like a longer Zach LaVine but with a little less bounce.
• Dejounte Murray
• old school comparison: Ron Harper

Draft Projection

lottery pick in the 2020 NBA Draft

2020 Point Guards

1. LaMelo Ball – 6-7 – USA
2. Tyrese Haliburton – 6-5 – Iowa State
3. Killian Hayes – 6-5 – France
4. Kira Lewis – 6-3 – Alabama
5. Tyrell Terry – 6-1 – Stanford
6. Cole Anthony – 6-2 – UNC
7. Grant Riller – 6-3 – Charleston
8. Theo Maledon – 6-5 – France
9. Malachi Flynn – 6-2 – San Diego St.
10. Devon Dotson – 6-2 – Kansas
11. Ty-Shon Alexander – 6-4 – Creighton
12. Nico Mannion – 6-2 – Arizona
13. Payton Pritchard – 6-2 – Oregon
14. Yam Madar – 6-3 – Israel
15. Abdoulaye N-Doye – 6-7 – France
16. Ashton Hagans – 6-3 – Kentucky
17. Cassius Winston – 6-1 – Michigan State
18. Tre Jones – 6-1 – Duke
19. Markus Howard – 5-11 – Marquette