NBA ROOKIE SUPPORTS TOP

9.10.07

Upon hearing about the mission of The Orange Planet, Carroll, Iowa product Adam Haluska took an immediate liking to it. Adam grew up in Iowa and was taught the game in a fundamental approach. His work ethic, character, faith, intelligence, and desire to be the best he could be were elevated by a great family and a love for competition.

One of the state's all-time best track and basketball performers, became the Big Ten's leading scorer in his senior year, and was a 2nd round draft pick of the New Orleans Hornets. Now beginning his rookie season in the NBA, Adam will put all of his hard work and training to the test. He joins an impressive group of Iowans who have played at basketball's highest level.

"The Orange Planet is just what young people need right now. We need to return to the fundamentals of the game. I like the fact that TOP is committed to a grass-root approach to teaching and developing skills at the youth level. From there, their basketball experience can only become more enjoyable,” said Haluska.

Adam Haluska will contribute to the mission of TOP and wants to see other young playersfrom Iowa continue to chase their dreams and goals in athletics, academics, character, and faith.

Highlights: Haluska earned academic all-Big Ten recognition in each of his three seasons with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Named Iowa's Most Valuable Player for the 2006-07 basketball season. Led the Big Ten Conference in scoring (20.5) while earning first team all-Big Ten honors and honorable mention all-America (Associated Press) recognition. He was named first team academic all-American, as well, and was selected as the academic all-American of the Year for Division I men's basketball. Haluska, started all 98 games at Iowa in three seasons and ranks seventh in career scoring with 1,578 points. He is Iowa's scoring leader among those who played just three seasons.

Career Bests
Points: 29 at Penn State, 1/14/06
Rebounds: 11 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 12/8/02
FGM: 10 at Penn State, 2/26/05
FGA: 23 vs. Texas, 11/22/05
FTM: 11 vs. North Carolina 11/24/04
FTA: 13 vs. North Carolina 11/24/04
Assists: 6 vs. Drake, 12/20/05
Steals: 4 vs. Northwestern, 2/15/05
Blocks: 2, four times, last at Minnesota, 2/18/06
Minutes: 51 vs. Minnesota, 1/18/06