Tyrese Haliburton returned to his roots on Thursday, and Oshkosh, Wisconsin made sure he felt the love.
The Pacers point guard, currently rehabbing from the torn Achilles he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, was honored at his alma mater - Oshkosh North High School - where the gym he once lit up as a teenager now bears the name Frank Schade Fieldhouse. It’s the same hardwood where Haliburton helped lead the Spartans to a state championship in 2018 and earned Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year honors.
In a packed gym filled with familiar faces and hometown pride, Oshkosh Mayor Matt Mugerauer officially declared February 5, 2026, as “Tyrese Haliburton Day.” The celebration included Haliburton’s induction into the Oshkosh North Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a player who’s not just made it big - he’s stayed grounded along the way.
And true to form, Haliburton used the moment to inspire.
Standing at center court, he shared a story that stuck with him since high school - a moment of doubt that became a spark.
“I had to take a class with a lot of guest speakers,” Haliburton told the crowd. “One day, I was probably being a little too chatty with friends, not the best student that day.
The speaker came up to me and asked, ‘What do you want to do in life?’ I said, ‘I think I want to go to the NBA.’
He laughed. Told me my chances were slim to none.
Right there, in front of the whole class.”
For some, that moment might have been a gut punch. For Haliburton, it was fuel.
“I thought it was kind of funny,” he said. “This has been my dream my whole life. I wasn’t going to let anybody diminish that.”
That message - dream big, block out the noise, and put in the work - hit home in a gym full of students who’ve watched Haliburton’s journey from Spartan standout to NBA All-Star.
He closed with gratitude, thanking the teachers, coaches, and staff who helped shape him. “I love this high school,” Haliburton said.
“I appreciate you guys. Thank you for having me.”
Seated courtside were his family, including fiancée Jade Jones and his marketing agent Kristina Kozica, all there to share in the moment.
And this wasn’t just a ceremonial drop-in. Haliburton has made it a point to stay connected to his hometown. Over the past six months, he’s been back to Oshkosh North multiple times - not just to visit, but to give back in a big way.
In the fall, he announced a $3 million donation to upgrade the Spartans’ gym, complete with a new scoreboard, video board, and a revamped weight room. The boys’ and girls’ basketball teams now sport PUMA gear, and just a month ago, Haliburton returned to gift them custom Hali 1 sneakers - a signature shoe made just for them.
Thursday’s timing worked out well. The Pacers are in Milwaukee on Friday night, just 90 minutes south, with another game there in mid-March. But before getting back to the grind of the NBA season, Haliburton made sure to carve out space for something that clearly still means a lot to him - his roots, his people, and the gym that helped launch his dream.
Meanwhile, back on the Pacers' front, there was movement off the court too. Before heading to Milwaukee, Indiana finalized a trade with the LA Clippers, acquiring center Ivica Zubac and a guard in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and three draft picks.
It’s a significant shake-up, especially with Haliburton sidelined. But Thursday wasn’t about roster moves or rehab timelines. It was about a hometown kid who made it - and never forgot where he came from.