Jeremiah Fears is now the fourth Oklahoma Sooners alumnus to be selected in the top ten of the NBA Draft in the past two decades, a milestone that underscores the rich lineage of elite backcourt talent the program has produced. On June 26, 2025, the New Orleans Pelicans selected Fears seventh overall—a selection that places him alongside some of Oklahoma’s most iconic basketball exports, such as Blake Griffin, Buddy Hield, and Trae Young nypost.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15si.com+15.
From the moment he walked onto the hardwood in Norman, Jeremiah’s trajectory was accelerating. Choosing to reclassify from the 2025 to the 2024 class, he arrived at Oklahoma as one of the youngest players in the NCAA, barely 17 at the season’s onset. Far from a top‑tier recruit, Fears had made his name at Joliet West High School before spending a prep year in Arizona. He eventually committed to Oklahoma, betting on an opportunity to contribute early—and it paid off si.com+2andscape.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2.
In his freshman season, Fears exceeded expectations with averages of 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 34 games, playing more than 30 minutes per contest libertyballers.com+1nypost.com+1. His all‑around maturity, court vision, and scoring versatility stood out, although occasional lapses in shot selection and outside shooting were noted en.wikipedia.org+15libertyballers.com+15sbnation.com+15. Even so, he led the Sooners to the NCAA Tournament and earned All‑Freshman honors in the SEC—just one season after reclassifying m.facebook.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3si.com+3.
During draft combine speculation, experts projected a wide range for Fears—from 5th overall with Utah to 8th or beyond. Yet, there was consistent admiration for his confident leadership, with comparisons drawn to Kyrie Irving’s poise and framing him as a Nets target before the draft youtube.com+7libertyballers.com+7nypost.com+7.
When Adam Silver stepped to the podium in Brooklyn, he called Jeremiah’s name, and the Pelicans proudly brought in their soon-to-be rookie guard. The moment was emotional: his mother was seen wiping away tears as she embraced her son on stage . Outdoors, journalists and draft analysts reacted positively, citing his growth and maturity beyond his years libertyballers.com.
This selection cements Fears as Oklahoma’s fourth top‑ten draftee of the 21st century. In 2009, Blake Griffin was taken first overall by the Clippers and went on to become a perennial All-Star and MVP finalist tiktok.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6instagram.com+6. In 2016, Buddy Hield earned a top‑six pick and became the second Sooner selected by New Orleans en.wikipedia.org. In 2018, Trae Young—another dynamic point guard—was selected fifth by the Atlanta Hawks and quickly blossomed into a franchise cornerstone . Fears, like Buddy and Trae before him, is another guard, highlighting Oklahoma’s consistent success in producing elite ball‑handlers and backcourt playmakers.
The significance of this achievement extends beyond mere statistics. Joining the ranks of Griffin, Hield, and Young carries a symbolic weight. It tells a story of a program that, even outside the pipeline of perennial blue‑blood powerhouses, can craft NBA‑ready talent. Each of these players embodies traits honed in Norman: confidence (sometimes deemed arrogance), resilience, versatility, and an unrelenting competitive spirit.
Fears’s journey, in particular, is emblematic of self‑made success. He wasn’t a five-star recruit. He wasn’t inundated with hype in high school. Instead, he grew into his talent, reclassified to chase his dream a year early, and maximized an opportunity with a skill set that blends scoring, playmaking, and leadership. Oklahoma offered minutes, responsibility, and a stage—and Fears seized them .
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. His three-point shooting hovered around 28.4 percent—a weakness that scouts flagged reddit.com+15libertyballers.com+15sbnation.com+15. Defensively, while his athleticism was evident, he needed polish in off-ball communication and positioning libertyballers.com. That duality—electric potential shadowed by areas of inconsistency—is common in young talent, especially those drafted at 17 or 18. But it also highlights what makes Fears compelling: a burgeoning two-way guard who, with refinement and time, could blossom into a linchpin player.
New Orleans presents an intriguing destination. The Pelicans are building around Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. A dynamic rookie guard can dramatically reshape their offensive structure. Fears’s scoring and court presence can complement the frontcourt while injecting speed, creativity, and youthful exuberance. It’s high reward if development is on track.
Reflecting on similar paths offers perspective. Trae Young’s early success in Atlanta helped validate the idea that scoring point guards drafted high can immediately transform a team’s identity. Buddy Hield, while a different archetype, became a lethal shooter who reshaped team spacing wherever he went. Blake Griffin’s transformation from college power forward into a multifaceted NBA superstar remains a blueprint for peak development.
Now, Fears begins his climb. He’ll need to round out his jump shot—becoming reliable from three—and build his defensive acumen to fit the NBA’s pace and intensity. He’ll likely lean on veteran mentors in New Orleans to absorb the professionalism and grind required to thrive. But there’s reason for excitement: coaches and scouts praise his competitive fire, and he has the tools that blossom in the pros.
Oklahoma fans should bask in the pride. In the last 20 years, four players entering the top ten from their program is a rare achievement. It signifies more than luck—it’s culture. It’s proof that even outside traditional power programs, exceptional athletes with unshakeable belief can ascend to top-tier drafts, change franchises, and rewrite their stories.
But for Jeremiah, this story is just beginning. His path is freshly minted by that pivotal seventh pick. His raw potential is palpable. His backcourt lineage is luminous. As he dons Pelicans red and walks into the NBA, he will continue a legacy that carries curiosity, challenge, and opportunity.
Ultimately, it’s fitting that Fears carries that name. Fear is the very thing he’s vowed to conquer. Whether it’s entering a draft as an undersized freshman, or stepping onto an NBA court for the first time, fear is his opponent—and the draft was another arena conquered. Now he’s part of a top‑ten fraternity from Oklahoma, and his presence there is both historic and hopeful.
The question ahead: Will Jeremiah Fears join Blake, Buddy, and Trae in leaving indelible marks in the league? If his work ethic, belief, and early promise are any guide, the answer is leaning firmly toward yes. The debut is on the horizon. The pressure will mount. But the makings of greatness are in motion—and as the fourth Oklahoma player in 20 years to crack the top ten, his story has already earned its spot in Sooner lore.
