In just a span of four years, Tyrese Haliburton has turned into one of the best guards in the league. While his shooting style might be a bit unorthodox and awkward looking, there is no denying the fact that it produces results. Although everyone knows it by now, that was not the case when Hali was just a 14YO High School freshman as he got snubbed by his first AAU team, the Playground Warriors, while his teammate since middle school Tyler Herro made the cut.
During a recent interview with GQ Sports, the Pacers superstar opened up about the time he found out from his parents that the Playground Warriors believed he had no future with the program, “They never said that I was cut, but my parents told me that it was essentially like, ‘He can come if he wants to,’ So, like—that, I think, was worse.” Obviously, him getting snubbed while the future Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro was still on the team hurt him. But what affected him even more and has kept him motivated even to this day is the fact that the AAU team passed on the news through his parents instead of telling him directly. Unfortunately, Haliburton’s misery was not over yet.
Soon after the snub, the young guard joined a Milwaukee based team, Wisconsin United. “Pissed at the world” after the Warriors’ decision, Haliburton headed to Milwaukee for his first practice session with the new team. By now, he had begun losing faith in his jump shot and shooting form. And his confidence hit a new low when the Wisconsin coach, Bryan Johnikin, made his 3YO grandson defend his shot during practice and shockingly enough, the preschooler ended up swatting Haliburton’s low waist jumper. “I left in tears because I was so embarrassed of what was going on.” Tyrese remarked, reliving the haunting memory in his head.
(Developing Story)
The post “Pissed at the World”: Tyrese Haliburton’s Snub by 1st AAU Team for Tyler Herro Followed a Soul Crushing Moment in Milwaukee appeared first on EssentiallySports.