Remember Team USA’s perfect run in Paris? Most fans expected a smooth run from LeBron James and company while some were doubtful of the team’s chemistry following the exhibition game against South Sudan. Well, it was a perfect run until the Americans met the Serbians for the third time in a month, in the Semi-Finals. The two already went up against each other during the exhibition games and the Preliminary round. And for a good few minutes, things were not looking good for Team USA. Tyrese Haliburton, who played as a backup shooting guard recently revealed the atmosphere during the Semi-Final game.

Haliburton didn’t play a bunch of minutes in Paris. According to him, he was one of the “Vibes guy” who “Got along with the whole team”. However, as confident as Haliburton was in the squad, he wasn’t so sure about the outcome following the third quarter during the Semi-Final game. Of course, even when the Americans were down double digits, fans still favored them to win. Nevertheless, the third quarter against the Serbians seemed like a nightmare.

“But one time that I maybe felt a little uneasy was at the end of the third quarter against Serbia. Like, they were winning the whole game, and I was like, ‘We’re gonna win right?’. And our starters pushed the lead and then they got it back to about like 15 going into the the fourth, and I was a little like, ‘Something could happen here’. And then we cut it to like 8 within two minutes and I was like, ‘We’re fine’.”, said Haliburton.

Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James saved the game just in time. Fans were in awe to witness the three protagonists of the team put up such a performance. And as history would narrate, Team USA beat France in the Finals led by Steph Curry’s 36-point outburst. On the other hand, Haliburton did not exactly get enough minutes but had an experience that he would never forget. Not only that but the Pacer spent quite some time with his girlfriend in Paris.

In the three games Haliburton played, he averaged 2.7 points and drained two triples. Being one of the younger guys on the team, Haliburton knew exactly the type of energy he would bring to the locker room. And for him, the fun started way before the exhibition games.

Tyrese Haliburton had a memorable summer this year

As the players received their jerseys, Haliburton did not have a particular number in mind. Luckily, the youngster received number 9, sharing it with the great Michael Jordan. “I was given this number I didn’t, I’m the young guy so I just get thrown a number, so. Not a bad number to get thrown.”, said Tyrese. But Haliburton’s adventure did not end there. Following Team USA’s win over France, players received their gold medals, but Haliburton had something else in mind.

Apart from celebrating with everyone, Haliburton posted a hilarious tweet. “When you ain’t do nun on the group project and still get an A”, Haliburton wrote while showing off his gold medal. If anything, the Pacer wasn’t wrong when he said that he was the “Vibes guy” on the team. For Tyrese, he had a pretty incredible run this summer. The 24-year-old was coming off a run to the Conference Finals, establishing his team as one of the major threats in the East. And in the Olympics, despite not getting enough minutes, Haliburton finally added a gold medal under his name. It will be interesting to see him get back with the Pacers, as Indiana eyes another deep playoff run.

What are your thoughts on Haliburton’s run in the Olympics? Do you think the youngster can lead his team to the Finals? Let us know in the comments.

Feel that you can do with another update from the sport of basketball? Then do check out this recent interview with the up-and-coming Georgia Lady Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.