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). A highly regarded guard prospect out of high school, he played one season of college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners before entering the professional ranks. Fears was selected seventh overall by the Pelicans in the 2025 NBA draft.
Early Life and Background
Jeremiah Fears was born on October 14, 2006, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in a basketball family and was introduced to the sport at an early age. His father, Jeremy Fears Sr., played college basketball at Ohio, where he earned Mid-American Conference All-Freshman accolades in 2005 before transferring to Bradley. Fears also has an older brother, Jeremy Fears Jr., who plays college basketball for Michigan State.
Fears spent his early years around organized basketball in the Chicago area, developing his game alongside his brother. The family environment, with a father who had competed at the collegiate level and a sibling pursuing the same path, helped shape his understanding of the work required to advance in the sport.
Path to Basketball
Fears attended Joliet West High School in Joliet, Illinois, where he played as a sophomore alongside his older brother. He later transferred to AZ Compass Prep in Arizona to complete his final high school seasons and broaden his exposure against elite national competition. As a junior at AZ Compass Prep, he averaged a team-high 14.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, drawing attention from major college programs.
He became a consensus four-star recruit and was tabbed as a top-25 guard in the 2025 ESPN 100. On January 22, 2024, Fears committed to Illinois in 2025 over offers from Providence, Kansas, Michigan, and Ole Miss. However, on July 1, he decommitted from Illinois and committed to Oklahoma, reclassifying into the 2024 class. His commitment made him the first Oklahoma prospect to be ranked in the top 40 by ESPN since Trae Young.
Jeremiah Fears Career
High School Career
Fears built his reputation at Joliet West High School before making a move to AZ Compass Prep for his junior year. The change of scenery allowed him to test himself against top-tier national opponents and showcase his scoring and playmaking skills. His production at AZ Compass Prep, including a 14.2 points-per-game average as a junior, established him as one of the leading guard prospects in his class.
Oklahoma Sooners (2024–2025)
Described as an effective ball handler and a dynamic scorer, Fears joined an empty 2024–25 Oklahoma Sooners backcourt following the transfers of starters Javian McCollum, Otega Oweh, and Milos Uzan. On November 4, 2024, he debuted for Oklahoma, recording 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals off the bench against Lindenwood. He continued to come off the bench until the Sooners’ fourth game against East Texas A&M on November 21, where he tallied a game-high 20 points.
During the November 27–29, 2024 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, 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. He and teammate Jalon Moore then led Oklahoma to the championship, with Fears averaging 18.7 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.7 steals across the event. His performance earned him all-tournament team honors and a December 2 SEC Freshman of the Week award.
On December 14, 2024, Fears posted 17 points and 5 assists in an 80–65 victory over rival Oklahoma State. On December 18 against No. 24 Michigan in the 2024 Jumpman Invitational, he scored a career-high 30 points, including a game-winning four-point play after being fouled on a made three-pointer with 11.5 seconds remaining. He became the first Oklahoma true freshman since Trae Young in 2018 to score 30-plus points and later earned his second Freshman of the Week award. On January 7, 2025, Fears was named one of 25 midseason finalists for the Wooden Award. Following the season, he was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and declared for the 2025 NBA draft.
National Team Career
Fears was named to the United States Under-18 basketball team at the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup, marking his first national team appearance. He averaged 6.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and a team-high three steals per game as Team USA won the gold medal.
New Orleans Pelicans (2025–Present)
On June 25, 2025, 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, and the second Sooner to be drafted by the Pelicans after Hield. On July 5, 2025, Fears signed his rookie contract with the team. On October 22, 2025, he made his NBA regular season debut, putting up 17 points in a 128–122 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Notable Events and Milestones
Fears’ most memorable early professional moment came in his very first NBA game, where he scored 17 points in his debut against the Memphis Grizzlies. As a college freshman, he set a career high with 30 points against No. 24 Michigan and became the first Oklahoma true freshman since Trae Young in 2018 to reach the 30-point mark. His selection seventh overall in the 2025 NBA draft placed him among the program’s most decorated modern prospects.
Jeremiah Fears Career Wins
Jeremiah Fears has compiled an impressive collection of team and tournament victories across high school, college, international, and professional competition. His most notable team successes include a gold medal with the United States at the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup and an Oklahoma Sooners championship at the 2024 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.
National Team Highlights
Fears helped the United States Under-18 national team capture the gold medal at the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup. He contributed 6.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and a team-high three steals per game across the tournament, providing defensive energy and steady backcourt play throughout the event.
Jeremiah Fears Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Fears comes from a basketball family with strong collegiate ties. His father, Jeremy Fears Sr., played college basketball at Ohio, where he earned Mid-American Conference All-Freshman accolades in 2005 before transferring to Bradley. His older brother, Jeremy Fears Jr., plays college basketball for Michigan State, continuing the family’s tradition at the highest levels of the sport.
Personal Life
Jeremiah Fears was raised in Chicago, Illinois, and continues to focus on his professional basketball career with the New Orleans Pelicans.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Jeremiah Fears’ transition from a celebrated Oklahoma Sooners freshman into a top NBA draft pick. He wrapped up his lone college season by helping lead Oklahoma to the Battle 4 Atlantis title and earning a place on the SEC All-Freshman Team, along with a Wooden Award midseason finalist nod. His strong finish positioned him as one of the most talked-about guard prospects entering the professional ranks.
Fears was then selected seventh overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2025 NBA draft, becoming the second Oklahoma player drafted by New Orleans after Buddy Hield. He signed his rookie contract on July 5, 2025, and reported for his first NBA training camp with significant expectations placed on his scoring and playmaking ability.
Fears opened his NBA career on October 22, 2025, scoring 17 points in his regular-season debut against the Memphis Grizzlies. As the 2025–26 season progresses, he is expected to compete for backcourt minutes with the Pelicans while adjusting to the speed and physicality of the professional game. His early production suggests a strong outlook for continued development throughout his rookie year.