Kings select Tyrese Haliburton with No. 12 pick

The Sacramento Kings have selected Iowa State point guard Tyrese Haliburton with the No. 12 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Haliburton exploded into the draft conversation in the summer of 2019 after a stellar performance for the U.S. Under-19 FIBA World Cup team. His sophomore season with Iowa State was subsequently cut short due to a broken left wrist, but he projects as a modern combo guard who can both run the point and defend multiple positions.

"I think I facilitate better than anybody in this draft," Haliburton told reporters in September. "I think I can run a team right away, but if I want to play the two, and knock down shots and defend, I think I can do that as well."

Haliburton is a childhood friend and former teammate of Miami Heat rookie star Tyler Herro.

Bio

Position: PG/SG
School: Iowa State
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 175 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-8
Max vertical: N/A

Strengths

• Versatile, efficient playmaker with a tight handle who may be this draft's most elite lead guard prospect
• Can score off the bounce or as a shooter; shot 43% from deep in 57 collegiate games
• Utilizes length and athleticism to defend like a wing; averaged almost two steals and one block per game in college

Weaknesses

• Unorthodox shot mechanics with a low release point; streaky shooter
• Will need to improve pick-and-roll defense in order to succeed in NBA
• Slender frame, would benefit from added strength