NBA draft: Oshkosh native Tyrese Haliburton selected by Sacramento Kings, becomes city's first NBA player

OSHKOSH – Former Oshkosh North star Tyrese Haliburton became Oshkosh's first NBA player when the Sacramento Kings selected him with the 12th overall pick in the NBA draft Wednesday night.

The once under-recruited 2018 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year is now a highly touted lottery pick in the world's best basketball league.

Haliburton, a 6-foot-5 guard, led Oshkosh North to the 2018 state championship and had a great sophomore year at Iowa State this past season.

"Sacramento is a perfect spot for me. First I want to thank God, but these two right here, they’re my rocks," Haliburton told ESPN while hugging his parents, Brenda and John, during the virtual draft. “I love these guys to death. I’m just glad I got to experience this with them.”

Haliburton, 20, made big leaps in 2019 after his freshman season at Iowa State and led Team USA to the U-19 FIBA World Cup championship. He then began garnering even more interest as an NBA prospect.

This is the second consecutive year Wisconsin has had an NBA draft lottery selection after the Miami Heat's Tyler Herro was picked 13th overall in 2019. Herro played at Whitnall High School.

Haliburton, arguably the best-dressed draftee, let the ESPN cameras get a close look at the inside of his floral suit. One side read “920 to the League,” shouting Oshkosh’s area code, and the other side read “Black Lives Matter.”

The belief scouts had on Haliburton entering the draft is that he could contribute on any team because of his diverse, mature skillset and mindset.

Haliburton averaged 15.2 points, 6.5 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 steals before his second season with the Cyclones ended with a left wrist fracture in February.

In the 2020 draft class, the Oshkosh native is regarded as one of the best spot-up shooters, passers and smartest players. He's also a selfless player who ran the offense as the primary distributor and scorer as a sophomore. He's disruptive on defense with a high basketball IQ and energy.

"I’m just ready to get to work right away, ready to create relationships with these guys and bring Sacramento back and get to winning games," Haliburton said.

Haliburton dominated Fox Valley Association teams at Oshkosh North during his 2017-18 senior season, averaging 22.9 points, 6.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 steals on 67% shooting from the field and 49% on 3-pointers.

This story will be updated.

Contact Jerell Rushin at 920-279-4974 or jrushin@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jerellrushin_.