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Haliburton Buys Tickets for Iowa State Students to See Pacers Game
Confirmed
In Short: Tyrese Haliburton, an Iowa State University alumnus, purchased tickets for students to attend the Indiana Pacers' preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers star and former Iowa State University point guard, has purchased tickets for students to attend the Pacers' preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Hilton Coliseum on Iowa State's campus.
Haliburton, who played for Iowa State from 2018 to 2020, made the gesture to ensure that current students could experience the game in person.
The game, which was initially scheduled for last year but postponed due to Haliburton's torn Achilles injury during the 2025 NBA Finals, will now take place on Wednesday.
Haliburton told reporters that he hoped the game would be a fun experience for everyone, especially the students who have been passionate about Iowa State since his college days.
Rick Carlisle, the Pacers' head coach, confirmed that Haliburton suggested hosting the game at Iowa State years ago, noting that Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan was born in Des Moines.
Haliburton, who made his public return to the court on Sunday at Pacers FanJam, is unsure how much time he will play in the game but hopes to participate at least in the first half.
The game will have a college-like atmosphere, with a lottery held for students to secure tickets in the sold-out venue.
Micah Byars, director of basketball operations at Iowa State, praised Haliburton's gesture, saying, 'Think about it, he’s giving back.'
Haliburton bought tickets for both end zones, ensuring that students could attend the game.
The exhibition game will feature a unique opponent, as Minnesota’s G League team, the Iowa Wolves, plays in Des Moines, about 40 minutes away from Ames.
What this adds
Haliburton's gesture is a continuation of his efforts to give back to his alma mater, providing tickets for students who may have followed him since his college days.
Background
The Iowa State University of Science and Technology, also referred to as Iowa State University, is a public land-grant research university in Ames, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, Iowa State became one of the nation's first designated land-grant institutions when the Iowa Legislature accepted the provisions of the 1862 Morrill Act on September 11, 1862.
What's confirmed
- "I'm hosting all the students and we'll still have student sections, so I think that'll be fun," Haliburton told reporters in Indianapolis after practice Tuesday.
- "I think it'll be fun for everybody," Haliburton said.
- Per ESPN's Jamal Collier, the star point guard purchased tickets for the student section, and the school held a lottery for those who wanted to attend the game.
- "I don't know if it'll be all Pacers fans in there." Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves will be special for Haliburton for multiple reasons.
- "I know there's nobody as passionate about Iowa State as the current students."
What's still developing
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- Hilton Coliseum has a capacity of 14,267 — and the game is sold out, according Ticketmaster.
- This is Tyrese taking care of students who are passionate about Iowa State \u2014 and may have followed him since his time there. \u201CI think it\u2019s cool because a lot of the students now were kids when I was in college,\u201D Haliburton told reporters after practice on Tuesday. \u201CWhen I was 18 in college, some of these kids were like 10 years old, as crazy as that is to say, you know?
- I\u2019m excited for everybody to experience Hilton Coliseum,\u201D Haliburton said, \u201Cespecially the guys like T.J. (McConnell) who went to Arizona, who\u2019s now in the Big 12 and sees what it\u2019s like.
- Haliburton wanted college students there, so he provided the tickets — purchasing every ticket in the student sections at both ends of the court.