In a recent episode of Fixated on pacemaker In the podcast, Team USA and Utah Jazz center Micah Potter talked about his experience with the US Olympic team this summer. During the conversation, Potter was asked about Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers’ star guard who won a gold medal last weekend.
“(Tyrese) is a great guy,” Potter said. “He’s a fantastic human being. Extremely talented.”
Potter joined the US Select Team before the Olympics and was allowed to play in games against Canada and Serbia in the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Games. Utah’s reserve big man sank a three-pointer in both of his appearances and didn’t look at all out of place.
At the Olympics, Haliburton played in three games and averaged 2.7 points and 0.7 assists per game. He reportedly battled a minor injury during the tournament, but still made 60% of his shots from the field and half of his three-pointers.
Potter got to see Indiana’s star up close at practices and team events. He was impressed with the All-NBA guard and even told a story about how Haliburton excelled at a shooting drill in practice.
“His ability to hit shots is unbelievable,” Potter said. “We did a shooting drill in Abu Dhabi… him, Anthony Davis and LeBron (James) were there and he was killing them all,” Potter said. “Basically, you had to hit six shots before you missed three, and you can’t miss two in a row. I don’t think (Haliburton) missed a shot. They hit seven shots and I’m pretty sure he hit 42 of 42 shots. That was an absurd percentage, maybe he only missed one shot. But it was just unbelievable.”
Potter also praised Haliburton’s ability to distribute passes. “His passing is unbelievable… That’s why he was there to distribute the ball,” he said.
The Jazz frontcourt player, who recently signed a two-way contract with Utah, recalled that he and Haliburton had been connected since college. Iowa State and Wisconsin — Haliburton’s and Potter’s NCAA programs, respectively — faced each other in a preseason scrimmage every year. According to Potter, Wisconsin trounced Iowa State in both years the two games overlapped. Potter had to feud with Haliburton over those games.
“He was a great guy and obviously a great player,” Potter said.
The full podcast, which goes into much more detail about Haliburton, the U.S. team’s run to the gold medal, and Potter’s career, can be found here.
