The New Orleans Pelicans selected Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears with the seventh overall pick in Wednesday’s 2025 NBA draft, bringing fresh talent to accompany star Zion Williamson. This move has generated excitement among fans eager to see how the rookie will contribute to the team’s future success.
Jeremiah Fears’ College Performance Highlights His Potential
During his single season at Oklahoma, the 18-year-old Fears averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 28.4 percent from beyond the arc. He helped lead the Sooners to the NCAA tournament, though they were eliminated in the first round by UConn. In that game, Fears scored 20 points with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals, despite shooting 5-for-14 from the floor.
Mixed Expert Opinions on Fears’ Readiness and Skill Development
Opinions on Fears varied as the draft approached, though he was widely expected to be selected within the top 10. A Western Conference executive praised his ability to drive to the basket and compared his size to Ja Morant, emphasizing his athleticism and NBA-level quickness. The executive noted,
“I’m a fan. I really like him. After Cooper Flagg, he would be my pick,” —Western Conference executive
“He has a little bit of that ‘it’ in terms of he can get downhill, where the game is played today. The shooting percentage has to get better, but I think it will. I think he’s serious about his craft. When the redraft is done, I’ll be surprised if he’s not one of the best three in this class. The size doesn’t bother me. That’s Ja Morant’s size. And I think he seems a little more stable. NBA speed and quickness, athleticism for the position, good handle. The shooting will get better, but he made big shots for his college. His demeanor and how he’s wired, I was impressed.” —Western Conference executive
Meanwhile, an Eastern Conference scout expressed a more cautious view, highlighting Fears’ moments of frustration and the need for patience in his development. The scout remarked,
“He’s trying to get it all at once. You want him to take a little bit of time,” —Eastern Conference scout
“But he can go get a bucket. He can pass. The intel is a lot better than you see as a player. As a player, I think there’s times I think he’s a baby. He gets frustrated easily. I’m trying to think of guys he can be like. He’s growing, so that helps. He’s more of a Darius Garland-type player.” —Eastern Conference scout
Pelicans Hope Fears Reaches Garland-Level Growth and Impact
New Orleans is optimistic about Fears’ trajectory and hopes he can develop into a player with the kind of impact seen from Darius Garland. His combination of athleticism, ball-handling, and competitive nature could make him a valuable asset alongside Zion Williamson as the Pelicans aim to strengthen their lineup and build a competitive team moving forward.