On a recent episode of the Pacers locked podcastTeam USA and Utah Jazz center Micah Potter spoke about his experience with the U.S. Olympic team this summer. During the conversation, Potter was asked about Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who won a gold medal last weekend.
“[Tyrese] “He’s a great guy,” Potter said. “He’s a fantastic human being. Ultra-competent.”
Potter joined the USA Select Team before the Olympics, and he was able to play against Canada and Serbia in preparation for the Paris 2024 Games. The big Utah substitute scored three points in his two outings and did not look out of place at all.
At the Olympics, Haliburton played in three games and averaged 2.7 points and 0.7 assists per game. He apparently suffered a minor injury. during the tournament, but he still shot 60 percent from the field and made half of his three-pointers.
Potter got to see the Indiana star up close during team practices and events. He came away impressed with the All-NBA point guard and even shared a story about Haliburton doing a lightning-fast shooting drill in practice.
“His ability to make shots is unbelievable,” Potter said. “We were doing a shooting drill in Abu Dhabi in practice… it was him, Anthony Davis and LeBron.” [James]and he torched them,” Potter said. “Basically, you had to take six shots before you missed three, and you can’t miss two in a row. I don’t think [Haliburton] He missed a shot. They shot seven shots, and I’m pretty sure he made 42 of 42 shots. It was an absurd percentage, maybe he missed a shot. But it was just incredible.
Potter also praised Haliburton’s ability to distribute the ball. “His passing is unbelievable… That’s what he was there for, to be that facilitator,” he said.
The Jazz forward, who recently signed a two-way contract with Utah, recalled that he and Haliburton had a relationship that went back to college. Iowa State and Wisconsin — Haliburton and Potter’s NCAA programs, respectively — would play each other in a preseason game each year. According to Potter, Wisconsin torched Iowa State the two years the two overlapped. Potter must have taken it out on Haliburton because of those games.
“He was a great guy and obviously a great player,” Potter shared.
The full podcast, which goes into much more detail about Haliburton, Team USA’s gold medal and Potter’s career, can be found here.
