Haliburton makes it official, signs NLIT to Iowa State

OSHKOSH – Donned from head-to-toe in Iowa State apparel and surrounded by family and friends – many of whom were also wearing Cyclone red and gold – Tyrese Haliburton made things official on Thursday afternoon, signing his National Letter of Intent inside the auditorium at Oshkosh North High School.

Haliburton, the reigning Player of the Year in the Fox Valley Association, will be attending Iowa State University next fall and join a strong recruiting class for head coach Steve Prohm.

“It’s a blessing to be here. God has allowed me to do this,” Haliburton said, after signing his letter while flanked by his parents, Brenda and John, in front of a crowd of about 100 people. “I’m just thankful to be where I am.”

Haliburton becomes the first NCAA Division I basketball recruit at Oshkosh North since 1992 when Frank Seckar-Anderson signed with Vanderbilt and Pete Wade signed with UW-Green Bay.

He verbally committed to join the Cyclones in mid-September, choosing the Big 12 Conference school over the likes of Nebraska, Cincinnati, Minnesota and Northern Iowa but had to wait to make it official.

That’s what he did on Thursday, showcasing the familiar ear-to-ear smile as he thanked family, coaches and teammates for helping him get to this point.

Haliburton joins a strong recruiting class for the Cyclones and one that that he already feels strong chemistry with. He along with Zion Griffin, George Conditt IV and Talen Horton-Tucker were all at the university on the same weekend and he looks forward to joining them for good in Ames next fall.

“We were all down there for Talen’s official visit. We all went down there to show him the culture we are all hoping to add on to. It was real cool,” Haliburton said. “We are all good friends and we can’t wait to get there, but at the same time, we all want to see each other do well in our high school seasons.”

Haliburton and the Spartans will be one of the teams entering the 2017-18 season with high expectations after posting a 25-1 record a year ago, which included an undefeated run through the FVA slate, and reaching the sectional finals.

The versatile 6-foot-5 guard averaged 18 points, six assists and five rebounds last year for the Spartans and is excited to test that all-around game at the Division I level next season.

But first things first.

“I’m happy I can officially do this and I can’t wait to get here, but I still have a senior season to play,” Haliburton said. “We start on Monday and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”