Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has purchased tickets for the student section at Iowa State University to ensure students can attend the Pacers' preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves this Wednesday. Haliburton, who played for the Cyclones from 2018 to 2020, is returning to his former home court as part of the NBA's preseason schedule.

The gesture is intended to boost attendance and support for the game, which is being held at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. While the Pacers are the visiting team, the event serves as a homecoming for Haliburton, who remains a popular figure among the Iowa State fanbase. The purchase covers the student section, allowing those students to attend the professional exhibition at no cost to them. This move is part of a broader trend of professional athletes engaging with their collegiate roots during the NBA preseason, which often features games in non-traditional markets or college arenas to expand the league's reach.