Jeremiah Fears Bio
Jeremiah Fears (born October 14, 2006) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Chicago native played college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners before being selected seventh overall by the Pelicans in the 2025 NBA draft. Fears has established himself as a dynamic scoring guard known for his playmaking ability and clutch performances at every level of competition.
Early Life and Background
Jeremiah Fears was born in Chicago, Illinois, where his father, Jeremy Fears Sr., played college basketball at Ohio University and earned Mid-American Conference All-Freshman accolades in 2005 before transferring to Bradley University. His older brother, Jeremy Fears Jr., also pursued basketball at the collegiate level, playing for Michigan State University. This family legacy provided Jeremiah with early exposure to competitive basketball and shaped his development as a player from a young age.
While growing up in the Chicago area, Fears developed his skills through dedicated practice and participation in youth basketball programs. The basketball court became a second home for the young prospect as he worked to emulate the achievements of his father and brother while carving out his own identity as a player. The competitive environment within his own household pushed him to elevate his game consistently.
Path to Basketball
Fears attended Joliet West High School in Joliet, Illinois, where he played basketball as a sophomore alongside his older brother, Jeremy. This period allowed him to hone his fundamentals while competing against older players, accelerating his development curve significantly. His performance at the high school level quickly caught the attention of college scouts across the country.
Prior to his junior year, Fears transferred to Arizona Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona, a program known for developing top collegiate prospects. At Arizona Compass Prep, Fears elevated his game to new heights, averaging a team-high 14.2 points along with 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.5 steals per game during his junior season. These statistics demonstrated his all-around capabilities and justified his status as a rising national prospect.
As a recruiting prospect, Fears became a consensus four-star recruit and was tabbed as a top-25 guard in the 2025 ESPN 100. He initially committed to the University of Illinois in January 2024, choosing the Fighting Illini over offers from Providence, Kansas, Michigan, and Ole Miss. However, Fears later decommitted from Illinois in July 2024 and instead committed to the University of Oklahoma, simultaneously reclassifying into the 2024 recruiting class. With this commitment, Fears became the first Oklahoma prospect to be ranked in the top 40 by ESPN since Trae Young, signaling his potential to make an immediate impact at the collegiate level.
Jeremiah Fears Career
College Career (2024–2025)
Jeremiah Fears joined an empty Oklahoma Sooners backcourt in 2024 following the transfers of starters Javian McCollum, Otega Oweh, and Milos Uzan. Described as an effective ball handler and a dynamic scorer, Fears had an opportunity to contribute immediately for the Sooners. On November 4, 2024, he debuted for Oklahoma, recording 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals off the bench against Lindenwood in his first collegiate game.
Fears continued to come off the bench until the Sooners’ fourth game against East Texas A&M on November 21, 2024, where he tallied a game-high 20 points. This performance marked his first start-worthy showing and established him as a crucial piece of Oklahoma’s rotation. His scoring ability and court vision became increasingly evident as he gained comfort within the team system.
Oklahoma Breakthrough (2024–2025)
The Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in late November 2024 proved to be Fears’ breakout moment. In the three-game tournament from November 27–29, Fears led Oklahoma to an upset win over No. 24 Arizona in the semifinals, posting a then season-high 26 points along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Alongside teammate Jalon Moore, Fears helped lead Oklahoma to the tournament championship, averaging 18.7 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.7 steals throughout the event. He earned all-tournament team honors and was named SEC Freshman of the Week on December 2, 2024.
On December 18, 2024, in the Jumpman Invitational against No. 24 Michigan, Fears posted a career-high 30 points, including a game-winning four-point play after being fouled on a made three-pointer with just 11.5 seconds remaining. This performance made him the first Oklahoma true freshman since Trae Young in 2018 to score 30 or more points in a game. He subsequently earned his second Freshman of the Week honor following his strong showing against Michigan and Central Arkansas. On January 7, 2025, Fears was named one of 25 midseason finalists for the Wooden Award, solidifying his status as one of the nation’s top freshman players.
After going scoreless against Texas A&M, Fears responded with a team-high 21 points on February 1, recording his sixth game of at least 20 points in a 97–67 victory over No. 24 Vanderbilt. On February 22 against No. 21 Mississippi State, Oklahoma snapped a five-game losing streak behind Fears’ first career double-double, featuring 27 points and 10 assists. Following his impressive freshman season, Fears declared for the 2025 NBA draft while earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2025–Present)
On June 25, 2025, Jeremiah Fears was selected with the seventh overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2025 NBA draft. He became Oklahoma’s fourth top-seven pick in the last 16 years, joining Blake Griffin, Buddy Hield, and Trae Young. Fears also joined Hield as the second Sooner to be drafted by the Pelicans. He signed his rookie contract on July 5, 2025, officially beginning his professional career.
Fears made his NBA regular-season debut on October 22, 2025, putting up 17 points in a 128–122 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The rookie showed immediate promise as a scorer and playmaker, adapting quickly to the professional game’s speed and physicality. Throughout his rookie campaign, Fears played in all 82 games for New Orleans, becoming the first Pelicans rookie to accomplish that feat, while averaging 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.
His rookie season reached a milestone on April 7, 2026, when Fears scored a career-high 40 points on 17-of-29 shooting in a 156–137 victory against the Utah Jazz. This performance set the Pelicans franchise record for most points scored in a game by a rookie, as well as the record for the youngest guard to score 40 points in an NBA game. Following the 2025–2026 season, Fears was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, recognizing his outstanding first year as a professional.
Playing Style and Strengths
Fears operates primarily as a point guard with the ability to play shooting guard, combining elite ball-handling skills with dynamic scoring capability. His court vision allows him to create opportunities for teammates while his shooting range extends to beyond the three-point arc. Fears excels in transition offense and has demonstrated a clutch gene, evidenced by his game-winning performances at both the college and professional levels. His competitive fire and work ethic, fostered by his basketball family lineage, continue to drive his development.
Notable Events and Milestones
Following a January 27, 2026 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Fears was involved in an altercation with Thunder guard Lu Dort, who shoved him during the game. Both players were subsequently fined $25,000 by the NBA. Beyond this incident, Fears’ rookie season was defined by his historic 40-point performance against Utah and his consistent availability, becoming the first Pelicans rookie to appear in all 82 games. His rapid ascent from college freshman to NBA starter showcased his readiness for professional competition.
Jeremiah Fears Career Highlights
Fears has accumulated notable achievements across his brief but impressive basketball career, ranging from international competition to professional success. His rapid rise through the basketball ranks demonstrates his ability to perform at the highest levels of competition.
College and International Highlights
During his lone season at Oklahoma, Fears earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2025 while averaging nearly 15 points per game as a true freshman. He was named SEC Freshman of the Week twice and became a Wooden Award midseason finalist. His tournament performance at the Battle 4 Atlantis, where he earned all-tournament team honors, signaled his arrival as a major college player.
Prior to his college career, Fears represented the United States on the Under-18 national team at the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup in Argentina. He averaged 6.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and a team-high three steals per game, helping Team USA capture the gold medal in international competition.
Professional Highlights
In his rookie NBA season, Fears was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2026, recognizing his outstanding first-year performance. His 40-point game against Utah in April 2026 stands as a Pelicans franchise record for a rookie and marked the youngest guard performance of that caliber in NBA history. Fears appeared in all 82 games during his rookie campaign, demonstrating the durability and consistency that characterized his transition to professional basketball.
Jeremiah Fears Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Jeremiah Fears comes from a basketball family with deep roots in the sport. His father, Jeremy Fears Sr., played college basketball at Ohio University, where he earned Mid-American Conference All-Freshman accolades in 2005, before transferring to Bradley University for his remaining collegiate career. This background provided Jeremiah with expert guidance and mentorship throughout his development as a basketball player.
His older brother, Jeremy Fears Jr., also pursued basketball at the collegiate level, playing for Michigan State University. Having a sibling competing at the Division I level created a healthy competitive environment that pushed both brothers to elevate their games. The shared experiences of growing up together, practicing against each other, and watching their father play college basketball shaped Jeremiah’s understanding of the sport and his aspirations for professional success.
Personal Life
Fears was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where his family continues to maintain roots. The city known for producing numerous NBA talents provided Fears with a rich basketball culture to grow within. His family’s support and shared passion for basketball have remained central to his journey, with both his father and brother serving as role models and influences throughout his development from youth basketball through his NBA rookie season.
2025 Season Performance
Jeremiah Fears entered the 2025–2026 NBA season with the experience of his rookie debut behind him and elevated expectations following his historic 40-point performance. His rookie season had established him as a building block for the Pelicans’ future, and his work ethic suggested continued improvement. Playing under the Pelicans’ developmental system, Fears focused on refining his shooting consistency, defensive positioning, and leadership within the team structure.
The 2025–2026 season saw Fears maintain his role as a key contributor in the Pelicans’ backcourt rotation. His chemistry with teammates continued to develop as he logged significant minutes in his second professional season. The lessons learned from his rookie campaign, including his response to adversity such as the altercation with Lu Dort, demonstrated his growth as both a player and professional.
Looking ahead, Fears possesses the tools and mentality to establish himself as a cornerstone player for the Pelicans franchise. His combination of scoring ability, playmaking vision, and competitive drive positions him among the promising young guards in the NBA. With continued development and team success, Fears aims to lead New Orleans back to playoff contention while building on his early achievements in professional basketball.