Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jeremiah Fears celebrates with family after being selected as the seventh pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Brad Penner-Imagn Images

NBA Legend’s Strong Statement on Pelicans Rookie Jeremiah Fears

Originally posted on New Orleans Pelicans on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 12:35 PM ET

The New Orleans Pelicans finished this past season with the fourth-worst record in the NBA, ending up with the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. With a talented group of forwards and wings highlighted by Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and Zion Williamson, the franchise and new regime looked to build around that by selecting Jeremiah Fears out of Oklahoma.

A breakout star for the Sooners last season, he averaged 17.1 points per game and had several impressive performances playing against strong SEC talent. Now, as he embarks on his next basketball journey, Detroit Pistons and NBA legend Isiah Thomas shared a strong statement about the Pelicans rookie guard.

"He is extremely talented. Coming out of Chicago, Derrick Rose, Tim Hardaway, Maurice Cheeks, myself, Ronnie Lester. There is a boat load of Chicago point guards you have to live up to... He understands the assignment"

-- Isiah Thomas on Jeremiah Fears pic.twitter.com/1aiULK8oz1
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) July 17, 2025

"He is extremely talented. Coming out of Chicago, Derrick Rose, Tim Hardaway, Maurice Cheeks, myself, Ronnie Lester. There is a boatload of Chicago point guards you have to live up to... He understands the assignment," Thomas said during the broadcast of the Pelicans-Thunder Summer League game.

A list of talented point guards that stretches across the history of the NBA, Fears will have high expectations beginning his rookie year. It's clear he already does for himself, as in a recent interview during Summer League, he shared he sees himself being a Top 2 point guard of all-time in 10 years.

"Top 2 point guard of all-time"

Jeremiah Fears when asked what he believes his career could look like
pic.twitter.com/gI4UZiSbw4
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 13, 2025

Through four games in Summer League, Fears has averaged 16.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Entering a solid guard room with Jordan Poole, Jose Alvarado, and Dejounte Murray, he'll have to work to earn his playing time.

This article first appeared on New Orleans Pelicans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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