Pacers' Haliburton credits NBA 2K with helping him learn basketball

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton says NBA 2K played an important role in making him the player he is today.

In an interview with The Ringer's Rob Mahoney, Haliburton explained how the popular video game series gave him a better understanding of the game of basketball.

"Honestly, a lot of my hoop knowledge in knowing how to play comes from video games," the 23-year-old said. "When you're playing 2K and you're on that camera angle where you can see everything ahead of you, that's how I think sometimes."

The 12th overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, Haliburton spent the first one-and-a-half seasons of his career with the Sacramento Kings before being traded to the Pacers in 2022. He signed a five-year max contract extension with Indiana in July that could be worth up to $260 million.

Through 10 games this season, Haliburton is averaging 24.7 points, 12.5 assists, and 3.7 rebounds.