Jeremiah Fears, the Oklahoma Sooners guard, was chosen as the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25, 2025. Although expected to go earlier, Fears’ selection at number seven still made him the highest local player drafted since 2015. This development has stirred conversations in the basketball community, particularly with comparisons being drawn between Fears and former NBA star Kyrie Irving.
Unexpected Draft Movements Affect Lottery Outcomes
The 2025 NBA Draft began as anticipated, with Cooper Flagg going first overall to the Dallas Mavericks and Dylan Harper following as the second pick by the San Antonio Spurs. However, the remaining lottery picks caused a ripple effect, leading to players like Ace Bailey and Tre Johnson being drafted ahead of Fears despite his higher projections. This reshuffling moved Fears down to seventh, but his reputation remained intact among analysts and fans.
Stephen A. Smith’s Bold Comparison to Kyrie Irving
The pivotal moment amplifying Jeremiah Fears’ draft excitement was his standout performance for Oklahoma against Kentucky in December 2024. Fears impressed with his scoring ability, agility, and craftiness, seemingly captivating commentators during the game held at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Stephen A. Smith, a well-known basketball analyst, declared,
“Jeremiah Fears is the next Kyrie Irving,”
and later added,
“He’s the second coming of Kyrie Irving.”
These remarks sparked widespread discussion about Fears’ potential impact in the NBA.
Commentators also highlighted his skill set, noting,
“Fears, pretty—you talk about scorers, he’s one of the men,”
as they admired his ability to maneuver past defenders with a style reminiscent of Kyrie Irving’s early playing days at Duke University.
Performance That Solidified His Draft Status
During the game against Kentucky, Fears scored 28 points on 10-of-22 shooting, delivered 5 assists, and secured 3 steals. His ability to perform under pressure demonstrated why he was anticipated as a top draft pick and why experts like Stephen A. Smith see him as a significant future talent in the league.
What This Means for Jeremiah Fears’ Future
Being selected as the seventh overall pick places Jeremiah Fears in a promising position to make an impact in professional basketball. The comparisons to Kyrie Irving come with high expectations, especially considering Irving’s successful career marked by exceptional ball-handling, scoring, and clutch performances.
Fears’ draft position also marks a milestone in local basketball history, echoing back to Jahlil Okafor, who was drafted third overall by Philadelphia in 2015 and became a notable player from the area. Observers will be closely watching Fears’ development to see if he can fulfill the potential Stephen A. Smith and others foresee.
As the NBA season approaches, the basketball community remains cautiously optimistic about Fears’ trajectory, balancing hope with the understanding that his career is just beginning and much remains to be proven.