Tyrese Haliburton has revealed that Harrison Barnes was already thinking about life after basketball during his rookie season. Years later, that plan has reportedly turned into a $25 million investment in an Iowa community bank.

Barnes bought Community State Bank in Paton, Iowa, less than an hour from where he grew up. Legion Hoops shared the news on X, and Haliburton reacted to the news, explaining how surprised he was when Barnes first told him about the plan.

“HB told me this was the plan my rookie year!! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing," Haliburton wrote on X. "That was the first time I realized dudes in the NBA got real families and are real adults.....,”.

Haliburton’s reaction on X shows that Barnes had been thinking about owning a business long before the purchase.

In a recent interview with Banking Consultant Paul Davis of Bank Slate, Barnes confirmed the deal and explained why Community State Bank caught his attention.

He pointed to the bank’s leadership, trust, and 70-year history, as reported by Sports Illustrated’s Landon Buford.

Barnes’ reported $25 million investment has now turned that old plan into a real business move. What once sounded like a casual conversation between teammates has now become a major investment.

Harrison Barnes was thinking beyond basketball as a rookie

The same interview also showed how Barnes has prepared to run a business. Barnes explained how he manages basketball, banking and family. He said he gives his full attention to each part of his life.

“I think the biggest thing is that you have to be where your feet are. When I’m focused on basketball, and I’m in that lane, I’m 100 percent a basketball player," Barnes said. "When I’m here trying to figure out how to best support and serve Community State Bank, I’m 100-percent in this lane, right?”

His comments show how seriously Barnes takes his plans outside basketball. They also show his interest in building and investing in his local community.

According to Raccoon Valley Radio’s Coltrane Carlson, as reported in the same Sports Illustrated article by Landon Buford, Barnes visited the bank to meet the staff and introduce himself to the directors. The bank will continue its operations under Barnes & Company ownership.

Barnes’ website says his company works to build his family’s human, intellectual, financial, and brand capital.

This gives more context to the reported $25 million purchase. As Tyrese Haliburton revealed, Barnes had already been thinking about this kind of future during his rookie season.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Kapil Manghnani brings over 4.5 years of experience in sports journalism, covering a wide range of sports, including Soccer, NHL, Tennis, Gymnastics, NASCAR, Swimming, and more. He has written for leading sports platforms, producing everything from breaking news and features to in-depth analysis, opinion pieces, long-form stories, and short-form content. Beyond articles, he has also scripted long-form storytelling videos for YouTube channels. His work focuses on delivering well-researched, engaging, and reader-first sports content across multiple formats.

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Edited by

Rudra Dubey