OSHKOSH (WLUK) — He may now be an NBA All-Star, but Tyrese Haliburton got his start at Oshkosh North High School.
Haliburton, who led the Spartans’ boys basketball team to a state championship victory his senior year, was honored Thursday morning at his old stomping grounds.
“Me being here, I’m able to do a lot of different things in the basketball world, to achieve my dreams, which means the world to me,” he said in a speech to students. “But I wasn’t able to do that by just hoping and putting a lot of hope in it, you know? It took a lot of work to get to where I am.”
Haliburton’s former coach Brad Weber told FOX 11 he couldn’t be prouder of what Haliburton has accomplished. Weber said Haliburton is never far from the team.
“He was here in December, he was here in the summer, so he makes routine trips back because he values this place and really wants to give back to his community,” he said.
Haliburton’s frequent returns to his alma mater inspire not only the staff, but the students following in his footsteps.
“It means a ton,” said senior Bryce Ott. “It’s crazy to think that we’re practicing and playing in the same exact gym that he did when he was in high school, and basically have the same coaching staff. It’s crazy to think that we can be right behind him and what he does.”
Weber echoed that sentiment.
“He’s one of us. So, I think anytime that you see somebody that you’re connected with, or has walked the halls and been in the classes that you have, to know that kind of level of success does happen to people that come through these doors, is exciting for them, but also, we’re excited for him,” he said.
The state champion banner for Oshkosh North Boys Basketball when Haliburton was on the team. February 5, 2026. (WLUK/Josh Cavender)
Haliburton ended his speech with this message to the students in the crowd:
“Just dream big. Anything is possible if you put in the right amount of work,” he said. “Really excited to be here. I love this high school, I love all the teachers, academic people that helped me get to where I am today. Appreciate you guys. Thank you for having me.”
Haliburton joins his former coach Frank Schade and Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz in the Oshkosh North Hall of Fame.