On June 26, 2025, during the first round of the NBA Draft in Brooklyn, the name “Jeremiah Fears” rang out at #7 overall when the New Orleans Pelicans claimed the 18‑year‑old point guard from Oklahoma). This marked Fears as:
The 50th overall player drafted in school history;
The 10th first‑rounder ever from Oklahoma;
Trailing only Kentucky, Duke, Arizona, and Kansas in that stat, this underscores how Fears’ selection continued the Sooners’ emergence as an elite NBA talent pipeline
Oklahoma coach Porter Moser captured the collective feeling of the staff and fanbase: “Our staff is so happy for Jeremiah on this special night… He is an ultra‑competitor… He has earned this incredible moment and we are elated for him and his family.”
Fears turned heads in Norman, averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, earning SEC All‑Freshman honors (. He became one of only three freshman in the Power Four to average at least 17/4/4/1.5, and ranked among NCAA leaders for his shooting percentages and free‑throw volume
His late‑season surge—averaging 22.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 5.0 apg over the final nine games—further sealed his draft stock. He became the only SEC player since ’96‑97 to sustain 20/4.5/5.0 over such a span
Originally slated for the 2025 high‑school class, Fears reclassified to join Oklahoma for 2024–25, arriving on campus at just 17His transition—from off‑bench newcomer to full‑time starter—epitomized his dedication and rapid development
On the court and off, pride surged through Fears’ support circle. His older brother, Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State), commented on Instagram: “Yea lil broooo ❤️,” reflecting profound sibling pride
Glenn Taylor Jr., an Oklahoma freshman, expressed emotional pride online:
That post, featuring their trademark dab together, became emblematic of Norman’s communal joy.
Amid cameras and spotlight, Fears’ mother was visually moved to tears as her son took the stage, echoing many touching moments from the draft
The Pelicans, emerging from a challenging 21–61 season, aimed to reshape the backcourt after trading CJ McCollum for Jordan Poole and others (si.com). Their draft strategy centered on pairing Poole, a veteran playmaker, with a dynamic rookie guard.
ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony praised Fears’ package
Sporting News noted Fears signaled excitement about pairing with Zion Williamson, calling their combination “super dope” (si.com).
New Pelicans front‑office exec Joe Dumars emphasized flexibility around Fears’ deployment:
This signalled neither ceiling nor floor constraints—just a balanced developmental path.
Stephen A. Smith dubbed Fears the “second coming of Kyrie Irving,” spotlighting his potential as a crafty scoring guard (si.com). It set high expectations right from the draft night.
- Elite ball‑handling & creation: Lauded as “best dribbler in the class,” Fears earned praise for generating scoring opportunities
- Attack-first scoring: He attacks closeouts aggressively, finishes through contact, and consistently draws fouls
- All-around freshman: Came off the bench before starting 31 games, demonstrating maturity
- Defensive instincts: Averaging 1.6 steals signals a two-way awareness
- Shooting inconsistency: College 3‑point percentage hovered at 28.4%, suggesting need for range improvement .
- Slim frame concerns: At ~180 lbs and 6′3–6′4, he’ll need to add strength to handle NBA physicality .
- Positional fit questions: Debate persists—can he play point guard effectively or is he forced to be a wing scorer? That could define his NBA future (reddit.com).
Fans, staff, and alumni swelled with pride. Emotional photos, tearful reactions, and celebratory posts stabilized Fears as a beloved figure in Norman and beyond.
Looking forward:
- Summer League debut (July 2025, Las Vegas): Ideal training ground to showcase his skills
- Rookie Year Outlook: Likely backup minutes behind Poole/Alvarado, but injury opportunities (e.g. Dejounte Murray’s Achilles) could accelerate his role .
- A developmental mindset: Pelicans are focused on nurturing—not rushing—his growth .
- Pelicans fans largely embraced the pick, calling him an “explosive isolation scorer” and lauding his playmaking.
- Analysts weigh in: Givony praises upside; CBS notes risk tied to frame and inefficiencies
- Social voices: Reddit Commentary:
- can get for a pure scorer” (but countered with optimism)
a. Family & Identity
Fears’ drafting resonated deeply:
- His mother’s tears.
- Brother Jeremy’s pride.
- Tulsa, Chicago, and Oklahoma — a tale of family, aspiration, and achievement.
- Trae Young’s congratulatory message reinforced Sooner unity
b. University Impact
- Reinforces Porter Moser’s recruiting credibility.
- Boosts OU’s image to future top recruits.
- Builds momentum after NCAA Tournament return.
c. For New Orleans
- Symbolizes a pivot toward youth and pace.
- Paired with Zion, Poole, and Queen for a rebuilding timeline.
- Marks a new vision under Joe Dumars and revamped front office.
- Player arc: From reclassified high-schooler to collegiate star to NBA lottery pick—all before turning 19
- Risk-versus-reward: Undersized and raw, but with standout creation and energy—a classic high-upside gamble.
- Community narrative: Oklahoma celebration, family bond, and Pelicans ambition intertwine here.
- Legacy potential: If he picks up 3‑point range and build strength, he could become a core rotational guard or more.
Jeremiah Fears’ selection at No. 7 overall by the New Orleans Pelicans wasn’t just another draft pick—it was a moment of collective triumph:
- For Oklahoma: An exclamation point on their recent NBA farm system.
- For Fears: A dream realized, marked by hard work, family, and crowd‑stopping play.
- For the Pelicans: A bet on a dynamic creator to anchor the next era.
Sooners celebrated, family cheered, analysts debated—every angle captured the excitement of a fresh chapter in both Norman and New Orleans. Whether Fears evolves into the next Trae Young or carves out his own unique path remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: on June 26, 2025, Sooner Nation felt thrilled. And that anticipation—it lives on.
