Tyrese Haliburton and his past year has been one of the most emotional stretches of his young career, filled with both triumph and heartbreak.
The 25-year-old Indiana Pacers star helped Team USA win gold at the 2024 Olympics and then led Indiana to its first NBA Finals appearance in more than two decades.
But behind the success was a battle that few fans knew about. One rooted in social media criticism, self-doubt, and a season-ending injury that shook him to his core.
Haliburton revealed how the constant trolling during the Olympics affected him mentally.
“‘I was in a dark place,’” Haliburton told Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, “The social media clowning I took for my limited role in USA Basketball’s gold medal–winning run had taken a toll on me. My body was banged up going into training camp and… ‘My joy for basketball just wasn’t there.’ My shooting numbers cratered. The irrational confidence I once played with was gone.”
To help navigate that mental fog, the Pacers brought in Dr. Jaimie Rubin as director of sports psychology and team wellness, giving players a safe space to talk through their struggles.
Haliburton said those sessions were crucial in helping him open up.
“It just took me to come out and say, ‘I know you guys are doing your best to look out for me, try to have conversations about basketball, but I’m just not O.K. in life, and I need to tell you guys that just so I can speak through that and let’s work through what is going to be the best route for me’,” Haliburton said.
READ MORE: Giannis Antetokounmpo Says He’ll Finish Basketball Career in Greece