Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, a former Iowa State Cyclones guard, posted on X advising college basketball fans to "Make one bracket and stand on it" ahead of the men's and women's NCAA tournaments.[1]
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Haliburton criticized the practice of filling out multiple brackets, calling it "lame" and saying people should commit to one choice. He acknowledged exceptions like one unrealistic bracket for an alma mater and one logical one, but emphasized picking Iowa State to win the national championship.[1]
Haliburton played one season at Iowa State in 2019-20, averaging 15.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, earning Big 12 All-Freshman honors before declaring for the NBA draft.[2][3]
The Pacers guard, selected 12th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2020 NBA draft and traded to Indiana in February 2022, linked his stance to a partnership with Reese's March Madness Bracket Busting Campaign.[1][4]
Reese's is encouraging fans to share their busted brackets on social media using #ForAReesesSweeps for chances to win free products or tickets to the men's or women's Final Four and championship games, noting no perfect bracket has ever been completed.[1]
Haliburton joined New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart, analysts Richard Jefferson and Andraya Carter for a Bracket Summit to share tournament picks. He expressed confidence in Iowa State, citing their play in the Big 12 conference.[1]
Sources
- Fox News Digital
Tyrese Haliburton tells fans to 'stand on' one March Madness bracket
Accessed October 2024
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/tyrese-haliburton-tells-fans-stand-one-march-madness-bracket - Iowa State University Athletics
2019-20 Men's Basketball Roster - Tyrese Haliburton
2020
https://cyclones.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/tyrese-haliburton/4710 - NBA.com
Tyrese Haliburton Player Profile
Accessed October 2024
https://www.nba.com/player/1630168/tyrese-haliburton - ESPN
Tyrese Haliburton NBA Stats
Accessed October 2024
https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4433055/tyrese-haliburton
