Jeremiah Fears sees himself as best player in 2025 NBA draft class

NEW YORK – Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears was aware when his former classmates from the Joliet West High School (Ill.) Class of 2025 wore their caps and gowns and walked the stage to get their diplomas last month.

For Fears, his bigger dream is coming into fruition tonight as he is expected the walk the 2025 NBA draft stage at Barclays Center in Brooklyn to shake the hand of NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

“Just looking back, seeing all my friends graduating this year and people I grew up with all my life is definitely an experience,” Fears recently told Andscape. “It was something I kind of had to get over. Not being able to kind of graduate and be in that moment. But I’m getting ready for something better.”

With guidance from his father, Fears bet on himself by reclassifying so he could attend college a year earlier at the University of Oklahoma. He did so in hopes of accelerating his path to the NBA after leaving Joliet and playing a season at a prep school in Arizona.

Going to the NBA after only one year of college seemed like a lofty goal a year ago considering Fears wasn’t ranked among the Top 25 recruits in the 2024 graduating class. Fears also was just 17 when he arrived on campus in Norman, Oklahoma.

Fears defied the odds by averaging 17.1 points. 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists as a freshman for Oklahoma during the 2024-25 season. After leading the Sooners to the NCAA tournament, the 6-foot-4, 175-pounder entered his name into the 2025 NBA draft. Fears is projected by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony to be selected fifth overall by the Utah Jazz.

Fears believes he will make every team that passes on him regret it.

“Some people make the joke, ‘Have no fears,’ ” Fears said. “But it’s like it’s a real thing. I try not to fear nothing. And whatever you do, be the best or try to become the best version of yourself.

“Every time I step on the court, I play hard and I’m coming at you. So, everybody I play against, every opponent I have, they’re going to know, like when I step on the court versus Fears he’s coming.”

Fears comes from a basketball family as the son of former Bradley guard Jeremy Fears, who also played professionally overseas. His older brother, Jeremy, also plays basketball for Michigan State and overcame a shooting at a house party in 2023.

Jeremiah Fears talked exclusively with Andscape on June 14 about being a draft sleeper; how he changed as a person after his brother was shot; his key for overcoming expectations now and in the future; what type of person he is on and off the court; his fire to become an NBA star, and much more in the following Q&A.

Take me through the risky process of deciding to reclassify. Respectfully, Cooper Flagg — like, 6-9 and 225 pounds — was the top-rated prospect in 2025. So physically, he could do it [reclassify] with his size and strength. You’re not as big as him. So, take me through how reclassifying came up, why you ultimately decided to do it? Was there any apprehension in making that decision?

My dad first mentioned it to me around my freshman year in high school. He was just talking about how he kind of felt my skillset is unmatched for my age. So, I’ve been thinking since my freshman year in high school. But I kind of wanted to just see myself develop and see how it played out. And then we made a decision my junior year. I wanted to do it.

My junior year, we were watching how I developed and my body developed and my game overall. It was something that was in the back of my [mind] my whole high school journey. I continued to step out on the court and go ahead knowing what I was looking for.

When you look back at even just a year ago, Class of 2024, and you were not in the top 30. So, what did you think about those ratings at the time?

I wouldn’t say it was nowhere near accurate. But I just continued to put in the work and it just made me more motivated. So, every time I stepped on the court, whether it was practice or a game, I just kept it in the back of my mind. And I took it out on my opponent every time I stepped on the court.

I was just kind of looking at that and seeing how they thought the players were just ahead of me in skillset who potentially could be a lot better than mine. And every time I stepped on the court against my opponent, I took it out on them. Every time I got a chance to play one of those guys, I took it out on them as well.

What’s your excitement level now?

I would say my excitement level now is probably around a seven, 7.5, almost eight. And then draft I’ll probably be like a 20 out of 10. Super excited. I can’t wait. Something I dreamed of and [the] time to be able to put on a hat. Whichever team calls my name, I’m gonna go out there and I’m gonna do my thing.

I hear you’re quite competitive. I don’t hear your name in the top 3. How do you feel about that?

Upset. There was more work to be done. And whoever goes in front of me, I’m coming. I’m coming.

Do you see yourself as a sleeper in this draft?

I see myself as the best player in this class. Somebody that can bring everything to the table. Bring you wins. Bring you a leader. Bring you just the best overall player in his whole class. I tell teams that. And I tell teams I’m somebody that can bring you star power and can produce right away at the level you need. An all-around player.

I see you kind of turn into a different, more serious person with these questions. Why is it?

So, you know I mean it. A lot of people just to say it, but I mean it.

I saw a quote when you were going to Oklahoma where you said your goal was to get to the NBA, which was probably a little less than a year ago. Did you even think doing it in a year’s time was possible?

I would say yes. It’s something I wrote down ever since I started playing basketball. My first thing was just obviously getting a college D-I offer. Being able to put myself in a position like that was great. My second one was being able to play in the NBA. The third one was being a one-and-done.

Those are three things I wrote down from the moment I started playing basketball. I was working towards that my whole life. With me going into college, I kept the same mindset. So, nothing changed, just I got a little stronger, [my] IQ got better, and I was around people that cared for me once in the university, which was the best position possible.

What was the moment during your freshman season at Oklahoma where you believed you were ready for the NBA?

I would say the Bahamas tournament (The Battle 4 Atlantis in November 2024). It was a great experience for me just overall being out of the country, playing against some really good teams. And it was probably my first game against Providence. I had a really good game. We won and I was just going out there, doing my thing and enjoying it.

So, after that game, I was like, ‘It is really possible.’ I just continued to do what I do and continue and work hard. We end up winning that game, the next game, and then we won a championship. Ever since that tournament, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to be a one-and-done.’

You had 20 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 67-59 loss to two-time defending NCAA champion Connecticut in the first round of the 2025 NCAA tournament. What statement did you make in your last college game?

It was a great statement. Just showing everybody that no matter your age, no matter your height, no matter your size, you go out there and compete. If you trust your work, you can do anything you put your mind to.

What did the Oklahoma program mean to you? It was one year, but do you feel like you made the right decision?

I made the right decision. Just the coaching staff, the overall campus and the overall Oklahoma environment was great. Being able to go in there, as young as I was and having everybody around me take care of me, pushing me, meant a lot. The coaching staff did a great job of just bringing in somebody as young as me on board, being on my side and holding me up in this journey, constantly talking to me, telling me the good and bad no matter if I wanted to hear it. It was great.

They did an amazing job with all of us. After the first week, it felt like a family. They care for you like you’re their own kid. So that was something I always wanted to be a part of, and I’m glad I got to do it.

Did you ever meet former Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose?

I remember meeting Rose and I was around 12, 13 years old. I met him in the back of my house in the alley. I took a picture with him. His brother lived on the other side. So, [Derrick Rose] used to be out there and do a little barbecues and stuff. So, I remember coming home one day and he was out there with his brother. I’m like, ‘Is that D-Rose?’ And then my mom was like, ‘Maybe. I think so.’ And then we end up going back there and we were like, ‘That is D-Rose. …’

We were small. We ran over there and was like, ‘Can we take a picture?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, yeah, of course.’ This was when he was on the Bulls still. So, everybody loved him. You’re the hometown hero. So, we took a picture with him. I still have it up at my mom’s house. He signed it. And then I remember I wanted to play with [his AAU team] and just kind of be around him. I’m going to do the same thing right now. A lot of young kids kind of look up to me and want to take pictures and meet me. So, it’s great. It’s definitely something you dream of doing. Now that it’s my turn, I’m gonna make sure I carry the torch.

Speaking of carrying the torch, Chicago point guards have made a huge impact on the NBA. Isiah Thomas, Doc Rivers, Tim Hardaway, Maurice Cheeks, Quinn Buckner, Derrick Rose, Rickey Green, Patrick Beverly, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kevin Porter Jr., Ayo Dosunmu, to name a few. What is it about Chicago point guards that make them special?

We have quite a bit of guys, especially from the point guard position. Back at home, we called it, ‘The Land of the Point Guards.’ There are a lot of point guards that come out of Chicago. And they are still coming in as of right now.

It’s special because you are always in the gym and around a lot of people like that. I was in the gym with Ayo and Talen and watching them work out. The younger me was looking up to them. I wanted to be like them one day. Now that it is my turn, I want to be in the gym with the best young point guards right now [in Chicago] and teach them the game. So, when it’s their turn they do the same thing to the little kids underneath them.

You’ve been working out in New York City to prepare for the NBA draft. The draft will actually take place in Brooklyn, where the Nets play. When you first arrived, what were your emotions like when you got off the plane?

I was really excited. I wanted to go through the process. I knew my time was coming. Then as soon as I land, it’s crazy. I was just stepping my foot on a college campus and now I’m getting ready for an NBA draft.

So, I was kind of excited for the whole experience, and I enjoyed every bit of it. And I know it’s still a little time left as of right now, so I’m still trying to enjoy everything and every bit of the experience. Then eventually I’ll be hearing my name being called on one of the biggest days of my life.

Your agent, former NBA sharpshooter Mike Miller, has gone on record saying you’re going to be an NBA All-Star in three years. How do you take those words?

I like it. It’s something he truly believes and it’s something I truly believe in. I know it’s going to happen. So, just continuing to put in the work and not get too carried away with that. I won’t let that boost my ego. There is more work to be done. If someone thinks that highly of you, you should think highly of yourself, too.

What do you recall or know about your dad’s college and pro career? What was his influence on you?

My dad was really good as well. A lot of it was self-taught. His older brother taught him the game and the fundamentals of the game. [My father] went kind of far and played overseas for seven or eight years. He gave up on his journey to help [my older brother and I] on our journey. It’s been great. He has been there the entire way and teaching us the game ever since he came back from overseas. He was teaching us a game at an early age and it was an advantage of ours.

He had a couple opportunities to come work out with and play for some NBA teams. But he told my mother that once he got around like 32, 33 that he was going to give up on his dreams to help us pursue ours. He held his own self accountable and he did what he said he was going to do. It all worked out for the better with him coming home to be with us by our side.

Your brother, Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears, was shot in the left thigh when someone opened fire at a house party he was attending in Joliet in 2023. He survived and returned to action with Michigan State last season. What effect did it have on you?

It’s a lot. I’m just being grateful for everything. You never know when it’s your time. So, I’m being grateful for everything and enjoying everything, trying to live in the moment and kind of just watch what is around us. Watch where you are. I never try to stay out too late. [I’m] watching who you bring into your life. It kind of went a long way for me, and it helped me throughout this whole process as well.

What should we expect from your draft suit?

It was definitely a process. My mom wanted me to go with my favorite color, green. Dad wanted me to go with an all-black look. But I wanted to go with crimson because of my OU [Oklahoma] colors. I wanted to represent, especially on a big day like this. I wouldn’t be in this position without Oklahoma and the great coaching staff we had.

Then I wanted to do a little black or white. I definitely know it’s going to be crimson with black and white. And then once I decide the primary look, then I’m going to have some little pictures on the inside with my family. My family and I got to this point. It will have some of my loved ones that passed there. Some of my younger cousins and uncles and aunties as well.

What kind of person is the team that drafts you getting?

The team is getting a great guy. Somebody that’s funny. Somebody you like to be around. Somebody that is going to bring the energy. Somebody that can cheer you up. An exciting person and just a person that cares for everybody. That’s probably the most important thing that I bring, as far as my overall personality.

And then somebody who is going to beat you in every game as well. I play video games quite a bit. So, any time you want to play any game, I’m really competitive at that as well.

I hear you have some motivational words on your screensaver on your phone. What does it say?

It is just my goals. Something I see myself achieving. Something I see myself doing. And I look at it every day just to keep me motivated and to know what I’m working towards. So, every time I step on the court, before I go to sleep, every time I wake up in the morning, I look at it and I know what I’m working towards.