Jeremiah Fears

Jeremiah Fears is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association. Born on October 14, 2006, in Joliet, Illinois, he stands as one of the youngest active players in the league at just 19 years old. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 190 pounds, Fears plays the point guard position and shoots right-handed. Selected seventh overall by the Pelicans in the 2025 NBA Draft, he transitioned directly from a standout collegiate career with the Oklahoma Sooners to the professional stage.

Fears has quickly become a central figure in the Pelicans' backcourt rotation, known for his scoring ability and playmaking skills that drew comparisons to established guards during his rookie season. His rapid ascent includes representing the United States internationally, where he secured a gold medal at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup. Now established in the NBA, he combines elite ball-handling with scoring versatility, making him a focal point of the franchise's rebuilding efforts alongside fellow rookie Derik Queen. [edit]

Jeremiah Fears grew up in Joliet, Illinois, where his early athletic potential became evident during his youth. Despite his hometown roots, a pivotal decision was made to attend AZ Compass Prep in Arizona for high school. This strategic relocation placed him in a highly competitive recruiting environment, allowing him to showcase his talents against top-tier national competition rather than staying within the local Illinois circuit. The shift proved crucial for his development, exposing him to elite scouts and elevating his profile significantly before college.

His playing style emerged early as distinct, characterized by exceptional ball-handling and a confident approach described by observers as having "a lot of burst" on both ends of the floor. Before entering the collegiate ranks, Fears tested his abilities on the global stage. In 2024, he represented the United States at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup. He played a key role for the USA Men's U18 National Team, averaging 6.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. That tournament performance earned him a gold medal and solidified his reputation as a premier talent ready for the next level of competition.

Following his international success, Fears committed to the University of Oklahoma. As a freshman for the Sooners, he immediately made an impact, demonstrating elite scoring ability and playmaking that drew immediate attention from the professional scouting community. His performance during the 2024–2025 season was instrumental in building his draft stock, leading to his selection by the New Orleans Pelicans with the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. [edit]

The New Orleans Pelicans selected Jeremiah Fears seventh overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, marking the beginning of his professional career. His transition to the league has been marked by immediate durability and consistent production. During his rookie season (2025–2026), Fears appeared in all 82 regular-season games, a testament to his fitness and immediate fit within the team's rotation. He averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 43.4% from the field and 33.0% from three-point range.

His steady performance led to significant recognition in May 2026 when he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team alongside teammate Derik Queen. This honor highlighted his status as one of the top first-year players in the league. By August 2026, Fears achieved another historic milestone, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach a specific scoring feat, joining Cooper Flagg in this exclusive category.

Current reports indicate that Fears remains a focal point of the Pelicans' rebuilding efforts. Articles from mid-2026 discuss how new assistant coaches are providing a blueprint for stardom, helping him refine his efficiency and defensive capabilities. The franchise views him as a bright spot for the future, emphasizing his importance alongside fellow rookie Derik Queen in their strategic development plans. [edit]

Media portrays Jeremiah Fears as a poised, confident, and hardworking young star. His public persona is built on the narrative of "grind," as reflected in his social media branding and bio which reads "My grind real... GOLA | grind or live average." He is seen as a bright spot for the Pelicans franchise, with a playing style that combines elite ball-handling with scoring versatility. His tone in interviews is generally humble yet self-assured, reflecting the maturity expected of a top-10 draft pick. Fans and analysts frequently cite his "burst" and confidence as defining characteristics, often referencing his ability to drive into traffic and finish at the rim as a signature trait. [edit]

iFANN has not yet collected fame data for this person. The ranking engine evaluates public signals but has not published a placement for Jeremiah Fears in its global or regional leaderboards as of the August 2026 update cycle. His fame is currently concentrated within the basketball community rather than reaching general pop culture saturation.

Fears does not have a formal, widely recognized fandom name, as he is still in the early stages of his professional career. However, his growing fanbase consists largely of Pelicans supporters, Oklahoma Sooners alumni, and younger basketball enthusiasts who follow the NBA's rising stars. Fan campaigns are currently centered on supporting his development and celebrating his milestones, such as his All-Rookie selection and historic scoring feats. Social media interactions are frequent, with fans sharing highlights and expressing optimism about his future trajectory in the league. [edit]

Jeremiah Fears moved from his hometown of Joliet, Illinois, to Arizona specifically to attend AZ Compass Prep. This strategic relocation allowed him to compete against top-tier national recruits and significantly boosted his visibility to college and professional scouts. On his social media, Fears promotes a philosophy of self-reliance and hard work, often sharing motivational messages about grinding to succeed rather than settling for mediocrity. He maintains an Instagram presence under the handle @_jeremiahfears, where he has accumulated approximately 226,000 followers as of late 2026. His profile bio reflects his work ethic: "My grind real…. GOLA | grind or live average 1x gold Medalist B4CM Bet on yourself." Additionally, veteran guard Stephon Castle has offered advice to Fears regarding his development on the Pelicans roster. [edit]

Jeremiah Fears was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois. Information regarding his parents or siblings remains private, as he has not publicly shared details about his family members. At 19 years old, his public life has been dominated by his rapid ascent in basketball, leaving little room for documented personal stories involving relatives. He currently resides in New Orleans while playing for the Pelicans, focusing entirely on his professional development and training regimen. [edit]

Derik Queen, Stephon Castle, Cooper Flagg, Oklahoma Sooners, New Orleans Pelicans[edit]

As of 2026, Jeremiah Fears is currently single. At 19 years old, his public life has been dominated by his rapid ascent in basketball, leaving little room for documented romantic relationships. There are no credible reports or verified records of any past or present dating history, engagements, or marriages. Given his age and the intense schedule of an NBA rookie, media coverage has focused almost exclusively on his athletic achievements rather than his personal life. No children have been reported. [edit]

Specific net worth figures for Jeremiah Fears as of 2026 are not publicly available through major financial outlets or celebrity net worth trackers. This is standard for players in their first year of the NBA, whose contracts are often structured with base salaries and signing bonuses that may not be fully disclosed until tax filings or specific contract negotiations become public. However, based on the NBA collective bargaining agreement, a 7th overall pick in the 2025 draft would have signed a four-year rookie scale contract. Estimates for such a pick typically range between $10 million and $12 million over four years, with a guaranteed salary of approximately $3.5 million to $4 million for the 2025–2026 season. Additional income likely comes from endorsement deals, though specific dollar figures for these partnerships have not been widely reported. His wealth sources are primarily derived from his NBA salary and potential future endorsements; real estate holdings or business ventures are not yet documented due to his age and career stage. iFANN currently estimates Jeremiah Fears' net worth at approximately $3.5 Million based on his rookie-scale contract value. [edit]

Jeremiah Fears was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2026 for his outstanding performance in his debut season. He also won a gold medal with the USA Men's U18 National Team at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup. In August 2026, he set a record as the youngest player to achieve a specific scoring feat in NBA history. [edit]