Haliburton Celebrates Gold Despite Limited Playtime

Tyrese Haliburton might not have played much during the Olympics, but he still walked away with a shiny gold medal. Team USA’s men’s basketball games this year were more about who was sitting on the bench than who was on the court.

Coach Steve Kerr faced some heat for his choices on who to play. In games against Serbia and South Sudan, some star players were benched, and Haliburton found himself as the team’s 12th man. While other players frowned at their limited court time, Haliburton kept things light-hearted.

After the gold medal victory against France, he tweeted a funny photo of himself with the medal, cheekily saying, “When you ain’t do nun on the group project and still get an A.” It’s a relatable sentiment, especially for him since he only managed to score eight points in total across three games.

Haliburton’s minutes were scarce, adding up to just 26 throughout the tournament, making him an under-the-radar player for Team USA. However, it’s all part of playing on a star-studded team. With so many incredible talents, some players inevitably have to take a back seat.

In the 2023 FIBA World Cup, he shined brighter, averaging 8.6 points and 5.6 assists per game. Now an All-Star player with the Indiana Pacers, Haliburton has proven he can contribute effectively on the international stage, paving the way for a potentially bigger role in future Olympic games.

Looking ahead, Haliburton might find himself playing a key role in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. As the older stars retire, it’s time for players like him to step up and show what they can do. For now, though, he’s just thrilled about his Olympic win.