Tyrese Haliburton vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The Guards Defining the 2025 NBA Finals
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If you’re tuning into the NBA Finals like we are, you probably know who Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are. Whether you’re rooting for the Pacers or the Thunder, these two guards are stealing the show, and they both have a few things in common. While they may be competing against each other on the court, both have gone from being traded from their original teams to NBA All-Stars, are style icons in and out of the tunnel, and this could be their teams’ first time winning a championship. Here’s how these star guards rose to the top.
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
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The young breakout star from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is proving to be a mastermind on the court. Tyrese was introduced to basketball at a young age and was fascinated with it from the very beginning. His dad coached a local middle school girls' team, and Tyrese would tag along to practices, eager to get his hands on a basketball.
“He was too young to play, but he wouldn’t let me tie my shoes,” John Halliburton told NBA.com. “I couldn’t go without him. I’m talkin’ 3 years old. He would take a girls’ ball and dribble that thing.”
Growing up, he participated in youth leagues, often playing a level above since he was taller than his peers. In high school, Tyrese was a standout on the Oshkosh North High School Spartans. As a junior, he led the Spartans to an undefeated regular season and played a significant role in their state championship victory.
He received several accolades throughout his high school career, including All-Fox Valley Association honors in his sophomore year and the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year award, among others.
“The separators for him are two things: A great work ethic and his personality,” Brad Weber, one of Tyrese’s high school coaches, shared with NBA.com. “He’s a great creator, he has great vision. But his ability to unlock everybody else on his team is what makes him special.”
Most kids dream of going pro, but for Tyrese, it wasn’t just a dream; it became a reality. After two seasons of college ball at Iowa State, he declared for the draft. He was the number 12 pick for the Sacramento Kings but was traded to the Indiana Pacers during the 2021-2022 season, and it’s where he has remained ever since.
This season, he had something to prove after being voted “most overrated player” in the NBA by his peers. Despite criticism throughout the season, Tyrese has flipped a switch in the postseason. We are watching a remarkable performance unfold right before our eyes, and it might even result in the franchise’s first championship win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
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Shai comes from a family of athletes, so it’s no surprise that he is one of the league’s most talented players. Excellence runs in his blood.
He grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and fell in love with basketball early on. However, his journey to the NBA had a rocky start. Although he was passionate about the sport, he was cut from his high school’s JV team in 9th grade and was placed on the freshman team instead.
“He took that as a challenge, and we kind of challenged him, saying, ‘Listen, we know you are disappointed, but with this team, you will have an opportunity to play a different role. You are going to be a starter, you’re going to log lots of minutes, and you are going to be a leader.’ I think he really took that on full force,” Stef Giovannangeli, his high school coach, said.
Shai could have quit as a result of the coaches’ decision to cut him, but the setback added fuel to his fire. During that season, Shai led the team to a city championship. He continued to work hard throughout high school, developing the physical and mental skills necessary to advance to a higher level.
Shai played one season of basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he led the team in assists, steals, and three-point field goal percentage. After a high-performing season, the Charlotte Hornets selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, but they traded him that night to the Los Angeles Clippers. He was traded to the Thunder in 2019.
In 2023, he emerged as an NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA First Team. This year, he was named the league’s MVP.
Shai has also showcased his talent on the international stage, playing in the 2024 Olympics and the 2023 FIBA World Cup. That year, he won the Northern Star Award for Canadian Athlete of the Year, becoming just the second basketball player ever to earn the honor.
Shai, Hailey, and their son, Ares (@Shai/Instagram)
This star point guard isn’t only an athlete and style icon but a new father to his son, Ares. With his wife, Hailey Summers, and Ares cheering him on from the stands, he hopes to lead the Thunder to victory.