NORMAN, Okla. — Jeremiah Fears has showcased moments that suggest he could be an undeniable future star in the NBA. However, there are instances where the young point guard for Oklahoma appears to be a typical freshman still getting acclimated after reclassifying and entering college a year earlier. With a height of 6-foot-4, Fears is averaging 15.5 points per game and is anticipated to be a top draft pick in several mock projections. Nevertheless, he is focused on playing the game he cherishes rather than his age or experience level.
“When I step on the floor, it’s basically like, I’m just playing a game I love,” Fears expressed. “That’s what I try to keep my focus on, and not really necessarily thinking about how old they are, how old I am.”
In a match against a seasoned Florida team, Fears had the opportunity to enhance his draft prospects further, as he recorded 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting and sank four 3-pointers, despite the team’s loss to the second-ranked Gators. The game attracted significant attention, with 29 scouts representing 19 different teams in attendance. For Oklahoma’s coach Porter Moser, Fears’ performance amid the team’s ongoing losing streak was encouraging.
“He was physically and athletically able to play with the Florida guys, and I thought it was good to see him have that kind of confidence,” Moser noted. “We needed him to get a couple of games like that to get us back going because he gives us a higher floor when he’s playing like that.”
Fears’ confidence stems largely from his previous high-level experiences. This past June, he helped Team USA secure a gold medal at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup, averaging 6.5 points and ranking third among all competitors with an average of 3.0 steals per game. Following that, he showcased his skills with the Indy Heat’s Nike EYBL team, averaging 21.2 points over five games at the prestigious Nike Peach Jam tournament.
Upon his arrival at Oklahoma, Fears, regarded as the school’s most significant recruit since Trae Young, made an immediate impact. He scored 26 points against Arizona in November, gaining attention for the Sooners on a national scale. Additionally, a thrilling last-second play against Michigan, where he made a 30-foot shot while drawing a foul for a four-point play, secured an 87-86 win.
His early achievements do not surprise Pete Kaffey, Fears’ coach at AZ Compass Prep in Arizona, who believes the young player is destined for greatness. “Jeremiah was just born to be special,” Kaffey said. “He was born to have an NBA jersey. He was born to be one of those guys that people talk about. And he does all the right stuff. And he’s not going to stop building until he’s an All-Star in the league.”
In the Southeastern Conference, Fears has been instrumental in Oklahoma’s successes, scoring 21 points in a win over Vanderbilt and contributing 16 points in victories against Arkansas and South Carolina. Despite this, he has also experienced challenging games, such as a season-low two points against Georgia and failing to score in a match against Texas A&M. Recently, he struggled again with a 5-for-15 shooting performance in a loss to LSU, complicating the Sooners’ path to the NCAA Tournament.
Even in successful outings, Fears still shows glimpses of his youth, like when he scored 20 points against Texas but recorded six turnovers. Coach Moser acknowledges that mistakes are part of the learning process for such an aggressive player, and praises Fears for the growth he’s shown through his rigorous basketball schedule and efforts to improve.
Fears made a strategic choice to forgo his senior season in high school, guided by family influences, as his father, Jeremy Fears, played college basketball, and his older brother, Jeremy Fears Jr., is currently on the team at Michigan State. Fears attributes much of his development to his brother, appreciating the competitive edge gained from playing alongside him over the years.
“He was always stronger than me, bigger than me,” Fears reflected. “So just being able to go up against him and battle against him every day was truly a blessing.”
Training at Compass Prep, Fears learned the work ethic demanded at the highest levels of basketball. His coach, Kaffey, motivated him to improve, often referencing the defensive skills of his brother. “I always used to make the little remarks about, ‘Hey, man, you’re not your brother.’ … and Jeremiah, being the kid that he is, being like one of those kids who wants to be the best at everything — he took that on as a challenge,” Kaffey shared.
Had Fears stayed in high school, Kaffey believes AZ Compass Prep could be ranked among the nation’s best teams, yet he prioritized helping Fears meet his higher aspirations. “Last year, he did all the right stuff, was always in the gym, was always the first one at team meetings, went to sleep on time, did all the right things,” Kaffey concluded. “So I knew maturity-wise, he was ready to go.”
