If you’ve ever watched the Indiana Pacers play, you know that Tyrese Haliburton isn’t exactly a "normal" basketball player. His jump shot looks like he’s launching a catapult, his passes seem to defy the laws of physics, and his court vision is honestly kind of scary. So, it basically makes sense that even his birthday is a little weird.
If you’re wondering when was Tyrese Haliburton born, the answer is February 29, 2000.
Yeah, he’s a leapling. That means while the rest of the world celebrates a birthday every 365 days, "Hali" only gets a "real" one once every four years. It’s a fittingly unique start for a guy who has spent his entire career being the outlier—the kid from Oshkosh who wasn't a top recruit but somehow turned into an Olympic gold medalist and one of the highest-paid point guards in the world.
Why February 29, 2000, Actually Matters
Most people just look at a birth date as a number on a trading card. But for Haliburton, being born in February 2000 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, set the stage for a specific kind of Midwestern grit. He wasn't born into a glitzy basketball factory in Cali or Florida. He was born to John and Brenda Haliburton in a city known more for overalls than NBA All-Stars.
John Haliburton was a referee and a coach. He basically lived in a gym. Because Tyrese was born into that environment, he was running drills with his dad by age six.
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Think about that for a second.
While most of us were struggling to color inside the lines, Tyrese was already learning how to manipulate a defense. It’s why his basketball IQ is so high today. He didn't just play the game; he was raised by a referee to see the game through a technical lens.
The Oshkosh North Legend
You’ve gotta realize how rare it is for a kid from Oshkosh North High School to make it this far. When he graduated in 2018, he wasn't exactly a consensus five-star recruit. Actually, he was a three-star guy. He was ranked somewhere around 177th in the country depending on which recruiting site you trusted back then.
Honestly, it’s a miracle he even got to Iowa State.
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He stayed in his hometown, led his high school team to a state title, and just kept grinding. By the time he hit his sophomore year at Iowa State (2019-2020), the world finally caught on. He went from averaging 6.8 points as a freshman to a legit stat-sheet stuffer.
The NBA Leap
When the 2020 NBA Draft rolled around, the Sacramento Kings took him 12th overall. Looking back, that feels like a massive mistake by the 11 teams that passed on him. He was the 2020-21 All-Rookie First Team selection and immediately showed that he belonged.
Tragedy and Resilience in 2025-2026
If we're talking about Tyrese today, in early 2026, we have to talk about the elephant in the room. His birth date says he's 25 years old (turning 26 soon, though technically he's only had six "real" birthdays). But his body has been through the ringer lately.
The 2024-2025 season was supposed to be his crowning achievement. He led the Pacers all the way to the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was a dream run. But then, Game 7 happened.
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In June 2025, during that winner-take-all game, Tyrese tore his Achilles tendon.
It was a devastating moment for Indiana fans. He’s been sidelined for the entire 2025-26 campaign so far. Currently, the Pacers are sitting at a rough 8–31 record without him. It’s been tough to watch. But in typical Haliburton fashion, he’s been vocal about the recovery process. He’s connected with other stars like Dejounte Murray and Kevin Durant—guys who have walked that same painful path.
What’s Next for Hali?
Even though he's currently in the middle of a long rehab, the future is still incredibly bright. He’s under a massive designated rookie extension that pays him over $45 million this season alone.
He’s not just a basketball player anymore; he’s a franchise cornerstone.
- Age: 25 (As of January 2026)
- Birthplace: Oshkosh, Wisconsin
- Career Achievement: 2024 NBA Assists Leader
- Status: Recovering from Achilles surgery (expected return late 2026)
Actionable Steps for Fans and Analysts
If you're following Tyrese Haliburton's career or trying to project his return, here is what you should be doing:
- Monitor the Pacers' Medical Reports: Watch for "on-court activity" updates. Usually, after an Achilles tear, the transition from shooting drills to full-contact practice takes months.
- Study the 2020 Draft Class: Haliburton is a case study in why "feel for the game" often beats raw athleticism. If you're a scout or a fan, look for players with high assist-to-turnover ratios in college.
- Follow his Social Media: He’s been very transparent about his recovery. It’s a great way to see the "human" side of an NBA superstar dealing with a career-altering injury.
Tyrese was born on a day that only exists once every four years. He's a rare talent, and while 2026 has started off on the sidelines, don't count out the kid from Oshkosh. He’s made a career out of proving people wrong.