OSHKOSH, Wis. (WBAY) - Indiana Pacers star and Oshkosh North alumnus Tyrese Haliburton is nearing his highly anticipated return to the NBA court following a torn Achilles. But no matter how far his professional basketball journey takes him, Haliburton remains deeply connected to his Wisconsin roots.
Even as an NBA superstar with hundreds of millions of dollars in career earnings and a trip to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals under his belt, Haliburton returns home to Oshkosh North High School every summer to host a youth basketball camp, giving back directly to the next generation.
“I just want to give these kids experiences that I didn’t necessarily have,” Haliburton said. “Obviously, we didn’t have an NBA player when I was growing up. So the fact that I’m able to be here, have conversations, be in front of them, and help create memories, that’s special to me.”
“I keep joking with these kids, I’m like, if there’s anywhere where I feel like I’m not gonna miss, it’s this building right here.”
Haliburton didn’t miss much back in 2018 when he famously led the Oshkosh North Spartans to a WIAA state championship. However, as time passes, the connection to the younger campers has evolved.
“It’s getting to the point now where the kids that are going to high school are kids that have no real recollection of me being a basketball player here,” Haliburton smiled. “So the legend grows, I’m sure.”
The NBA guard’s commitment to the school goes far beyond camp sessions. Haliburton has already committed $3 million to Oshkosh North, and he plans for that to be just the beginning of his philanthropic efforts.
He pointed to a major upgrade in the high school gym as a practical example of his contributions.
“There’s like a control box over there that can raise every hoop and put every hoop down all at once, which is special,” Haliburton said. “Growing up, I used to have to watch Coach Schade walk around this whole place to get every hoop down individually. So it’s the little things like that that mean a lot. And hopefully, the more success that I’m able to be having as a basketball player and the more money I’m able to make, the more I’ll be able to give back to not only Oshkosh North, but the district as a whole.”
Haliburton is expected to make his long-awaited return to NBA action when the Indiana Pacers open their season on October 21 in New Orleans against the Pelicans.
_Copyright 2026 WBAY. All rights reserved._