Latest news with #JeremiahFears
Forbes
4 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Pelicans Leave Summer League Believing 'Sky Is The Limit' For Jeremiah Fears
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 12: Jeremiah Fears #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Bronny ... More James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) Getty Images Jeremiah Fears made a living in the paint at Summer League. He is a blur with the ball in his hands. His ability to quickly shift gears, snap a crossover dribble, and leave his defender in the dust stands out. So did his struggles. The six-foot-four guard is only 182 pounds. When he elevates for a layup, contact tends to turn what should be two points into a miss, negating the impressive nature of his dash to the rim. In the New Orleans Pelicans' 94-81 loss to a noticeably improved Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers, Fears finished with 15 points on 5/21 shooting. He faired 4/9 in the restricted area and went 0/3 in the paint. "I like the aggressiveness, but we have to make some layups," said Corey Brewer, the Pelicans' head coach in Las Vegas. "He has to look at [the] film and make rim decisions. You have to be able to make it or kick it out." Understanding what Summer League is all about, especially for a top prospect like Fears, who New Orleans selected seventh overall, Brewer noted, "Rather him do it now than later." Fears reclassified to join the collegiate ranks quicker; he doesn't turn 19 until October. As Brewer told Forbes after the former put 22 points on the board and dished out four assists in a 113-104 victory vs. the Indiana Pacers on Friday, it's paramount to maintain perspective about his development. "Every game, he's learning, it's new," Brewer told Forbes. "He's going to get better and better. By game 40, 50 next year, he's going to be a totally different player." Center Hunter Dickinson, who joined New Orleans on a two-way deal on the heels of this year's NBA Draft, stressed a similar sentiment while gushing about what Fears' future might hold. "He's so talented, but then people [have] got to remember, he's so young, too. He's 18 years old and [has] got so much potential," Dickinson expressed to Forbes. "He's already a really good player now. So, sky's the limit for him." Pelicans see encouraging growth from Fears at Summer League In five games in Sin City, Fears averaged 5.0 turnovers. Entering Saturday's Summer League contests, that is the most among those to suit up for at least four, per He coughed the ball up five times in the Pelicans' Las Vegas finale against the Pacers. But in a sign of his competitive character, the former Oklahoma Sooners star was the only top-seven pick from this year's draft not to miss a matchup. He utilized those reps to flash signs of growth as a facilitator whom New Orleans can trust to take care of the ball. "His decision-making got a lot better," Brewer told Forbes. "[In the] first two games to the last game, he made a lot better reads. He got guys open shots. So, he's only going to continue to get better. He's only 18." That's also an area Brewer pointed to while telling Forbes where he wants to see Fears grow his game after leaving Las Vegas. "His decision-making," said Brewer. "It's the rim reads, coming out [of] the pick-and-roll reads, but it's anything. Every young player has to go through it. There's going to be growing pains for him, even during the year this year. Game-to-game, he's going to be learning." As Fears adds muscle and experience, his ability to get to the basket will become increasingly problematic for opponents. He has already proven that he can pile up points at the free-throw line. The Illinois native generated 6.4 free throws per tilt at Summer League. Entering Saturday's matchups, that was the eighth-most, per Granted, one shouldn't lose sight of the caliber of competition he faced. While Fears is a score-first guard, as he acclimates to playing on basketball's highest level, his ability to orchestrate New Orleans' offense will also grow. He was far from the most active off-ball player in this environment, but as his last name and No. 0 jersey combination suggest, he is fearless. The former Sooner will crash the glass, especially when his defender doesn't box him out. Fears parlayed three offensive rebounds into multiple baskets against Indiana in his Sin City finale. It's another example of his competitive character. Whether it was reclassifying or staying on the floor throughout Summer League, Fears' willingness to challenge himself is the other trait that bodes well for him maximizing his potential. Between that, offensive abilities that would shine in any environment, and an understanding of what will come with time, the Pelicans are understandably bullish on Jeremiah Fears' future.
New York Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Evaluating Pelicans rookies Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen at NBA Summer League
LAS VEGAS — After three games, the New Orleans Pelicans' NBA Summer League squad remains winless, and its sloppy play has been an eyesore at times. Even with all the youth on this roster and the lack of practice time, how is it possible to have 29 assists and 65 turnovers through three games? But wins and losses never matter most in Las Vegas. It's all about development and potential, and there's plenty of that to go around between the Pelicans' 2025 first-round draft picks, Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Advertisement Both rookies have shown exceptional skill at certain points in their first three games in a New Orleans uniform. However, their stumbles as they attempt to find their footing have been a major part of the Pelicans' summer-league struggles. In Tuesday night's 93-87 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans had perhaps its most complete outing this summer, and the two lottery picks put up impressive stat lines despite the team's ugly 25-turnover performance. Queen had 17 points and 10 rebounds — his third consecutive double-double — while Fears chipped in 14 points in 23 minutes before he was ejected in the fourth quarter. Considering the pressure this team is facing to become a playoff contender in 2025-26 after the controversial Queen trade on draft night, there are some major concerns about whether Queen or Fears will be ready to become immediate contributors. Still, there's a lot to like about what the youngsters displayed in their first three games at the professional level. There's no doubt these guys are incredibly talented. But what's stood out about them after three games? And how concerning are their struggles? Let's take a look: Fairly or not, Queen will be under the microscope all season after the Pelicans traded an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks to move up 10 spots and select him with the 13th pick. After Queen's first three games in Vegas, it's obvious why the Pelicans front office and a few others around the league fell in love with some of the things he brings to the table. Despite the double-doubles, however, Queen's overall play has been underwhelming. His numbers have been decent — he's averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 44 percent from the field — but he's also committed 17 turnovers, and his defensive effort has been uneven at best. Advertisement His unique set of skills jumps off the screen, but the lack of aggression on both ends has left him frustrated at times — along with the Pels fans watching at home. One of the best qualities about Queen is that he doesn't run from criticism. 'I feel like it's my game to be nonchalant, but I should be (more) physical at times,' Queen said after his summer league debut on Thursday. 'I looked immature because I wasn't physical enough.' The Pelicans' coaching staff went into summer league intending to put the ball in his hands often, allowing the 20-year-old to operate on the perimeter the way he usually did during his only season at Maryland. They even threw in a few of the same plays they've used with Zion Williamson in recent seasons. At times, that freedom has yielded great results. He's got the tools. He just needs to use his body more to create space and put defenders on their heels. When he gets a chance to attack a smaller defender in situations like this, there's no way he should get his shot blocked so easily. On some drives, Queen reminded me of the complaints that often followed former Pelican CJ McCollum. He relied on his skill to avoid contact instead of seeking it to draw fouls and perhaps even send a message. Many of these issues will resolve themselves once Queen gets in better shape and finds a more comfortable role within the offense. But more than anything, he needs to embrace the physicality that's required at this level. While Queen's lack of physicality has been the biggest concern up to this point, the opposite has been true for Fears. I was pleasantly surprised to see the competitive nature and fiery attitude the former Oklahoma star has displayed so far in summer league. He clearly enjoys barking at opponents and getting under their skin. He doesn't back down from anyone. Advertisement Fears got into altercations during all three games he's played and was ejected during the fourth quarter of Tuesday's loss after picking up two technical fouls. '(I'm) going out there and competing,' Fears said after the Pelicans' loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. 'At the end of the day, you step on the court, you're not there to make friends.' Of course, Fears has to find the balance between being tough and reckless. His absence played a significant role in New Orleans slipping up late and throwing away a winnable game on Tuesday night. But there's a lot to like about his mentality and how much he enjoys moments when things get heated. While he is shooting 34.1 percent from the field in Vegas, the Pelicans' coaching staff has been pleased with his consistent aggression and how easily he's able to carve through defenses and get into the paint. While some analysts (including myself) wondered how a player who doesn't turn 19 until October would adjust to the physicality of the NBA, I'd say he's done reasonably well in the games he's played so far. If anything, some Pelicans coaches have urged him to think two or three plays ahead as he draws contact. There have been a few moments when Fears has gotten into the paint, drawn contact and didn't have a clear idea of what he wanted to do next. That awareness should come with experience — and added muscle will help him absorb contact more effectively. Either way, the mental toughness Fears brings to the position is what any coaching staff would love to see from their point guard of the future. Queen has received plenty of criticism, but it would be unfair to ignore how talented he is when everything's clicking. Just look at this play. Guys who are 6-foot-9, 248 pounds shouldn't look that smooth in the open court or be able to bank in a shot from that angle while moving at full speed. Queen has a rare combination of ball-handling skills and a feathery touch around the rim that separates him from some of his peers in the frontcourt ranks. Advertisement If he can clean up the smaller parts of his game that drive coaches nuts, Queen's tools at his size are special. There are only a handful of bigs around the league who are capable of doing some of the things he does off the dribble. With his passing vision and ball-handling ability, it's easy to foresee potential lineups featuring Queen, Williamson and Yves Missi that would bully opponents on the inside. However, Queen has some work to do over the next few months to make sure he's physically and mentally prepared for everything that comes with a grueling 82-game NBA schedule. Queen will likely have to clean up some significant parts of his game before coach Willie Green fully trusts him to be a prominent member of the rotation. And as much as those flaws are glaring at times, it's hard not to fall in love with some of the creative things he can do on the offensive end. As much fun as it is to watch Queen break down bigger guys off the dribble, the stuff Fears is capable of doing on the court is on an entirely different level. He brings speed, creativity and dynamic ballhandling to the point guard position that puts him in a rare tier. Some players excel at executing dribble moves in specific situations to create space for themselves or to evade opponents. What makes Fears so special is that his moves feel more impromptu than rehearsed when he has a defender at his mercy. His handle and quickness are at such a high level that he's able to react in a split second and switch his plan of attack based on his defender's reactions. He's got a feel and nuance to his game that makes it easy for him to get his defender out of position and attack open space. It's the kind of stuff that very few point guards are born with. Fears slithers his way to the layup — Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) July 16, 2025 Seeing how smooth and dangerous he can be whenever he has the ball, it's understandable why some people throw the Kyrie Irving comparison his way. While it's way too early to put that kind of pressure on an 18-year-old, Fears clearly has some special gifts. Combining that feel in tight spaces with his constant downhill aggression makes it more palpable that he could find a role early on in his rookie year. I feel more confident about him finding that role to start the season than I did at the beginning of summer league. Advertisement While Fears isn't solely to blame for the team's ugly assist-to-turnover ratio, any point guard shoulders some responsibility when the offense looks as disjointed as the Pelicans have through their first three games. As dynamic as he's been in moments, Fears has been held to three assists and 16 turnovers. Even for a young point guard learning a new system, that's awful. Even more concerning: Just one of Fears' three assists has gone to Queen or Missi, the two former first-rounders starting alongside him. He's done very little to make life easier for his two talented bigs. Missi — who shot 1-of-11 from the field in Tuesday's loss — has looked lost at times this summer because he hasn't been utilized as the lob threat around the rim that made him such a success story his rookie season. Fears' youth has shown in his struggles making simple reads in traffic. That should come in time as he learns his teammates and the NBA game. What Fears needs to learn is that players like Irving, Luka Dončić and Trae Young are even more dangerous as offensive threats because they're so good at drawing double teams and creating easy shots for others around the rim. Once he adds that to his game, it'll make him even more challenging to defend. Mark this one under the 'Maybe it's just a summer league problem' category, but Queen and Fears have struggled mightily with their jump shots. According to Synergy, the two have only converted six of their combined 25 jump shots, which includes 3-of-14 from the 3-point line. Fears accounts for most of those attempts, but Queen's jumper has looked ugly too. Advertisement Fears and Queen both bring some exciting potential as shot creators down the line. However, for them to find a role this season, they can't be a liability when teams leave them open on the perimeter. Spacing is crucial for any role players slotted next to Williamson. This is particularly important for Queen, who will likely operate more often in double-big lineups that could become an issue if it only makes it easier for opponents to clog the lane. Teams will dare Fears and Queen to make shots from the outside. If those shots don't go down, it's going to be tough to give them the minutes they need to develop. Summer league is rarely about efficiency. It's about flashes. And despite all the growing pains, both Queen and Fears have shown enough flashes to justify the intrigue — and enough flaws to remind us how far they still have to go. (Photo of Derik Queen driving against the Los Angeles Lakers' Darius Bazley: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser discusses what Jeremiah Fears will bring to the Pelicans
Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser discusses what Jeremiah Fears will bring to the Pelicans Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser coached Pelicans No. 7 overall pick Jeremiah Fears this past season. He discussed what that was like, his pre-draft conversations with the Pelicans, how Fears' game will translate to the NBA, his fit in New Orleans and much more. Advertisement Fears averaged 17 points per game for the Sooners this year and led Oklahoma to the NCAA Tournament. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Orleans Pelicans 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pick
The post New Orleans Pelicans 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pick appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New Orleans Pelicans had an eventful couple of nights at the 2025 NBA Draft, sparking a range of opinions from their series of intriguing moves. Despite initially holding just one first-round pick, newly-hired head of basketball operations Joe Dumars ended the process with Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen and Micah Peavy on his roster. Advertisement Dumars led the Pelicans' draft war room, along with general manager Bryson Graham. New Orleans made its first move one week before the draft, trading for the Indiana Pacers' No. 23 pick. The pick was subsequently used as the main piece of the package that Dumars and Graham sent to the Atlanta Hawks to trade up for Queen. Queen was already a prospect whose scouting reports had split opinions, causing the trade to fall under heavy scrutiny. Many doubted Queen as the No. 13 overall pick, and were even less convinced that he was worth trading up to that spot for. Regardless, Fears and Queen became two of the most intriguing additions to the Pelicans' 2025-2026 roster. The young team will return 11 players from the previous season. New Orleans picked up its team option on guard Jordan Hawkins while rejecting those of Elfrid Payton and Brandon Boston Jr. With Dumars clearly looking to change the team's direction, the Pelicans have already become one of the top teams to watch coming out of the 2025 NBA Draft. Given the way they joined the team, Fears and Queen will be two of the most-watched rookies in 2025-2026, with Peavy an intriguing second-round addition. Advertisement Round 1, Pick 7: PG Jeremiah Fears (Oklahoma) Zachary Taft-Imagn Images Jeremiah Fears went viral on draft night for his iconic jersey number choice, but there is a lot to like about his game. With Dejounte Murray coming off an Achilles injury and CJ McCollum off to the Washington Wizards, the Pelicans have a lot of point guard minutes for Fears to immediately absorb. Fears is an interesting prospect, but this is not a team in need of perimeter help. The Pelicans traded McCollum but netted Jordan Poole in return. New Orleans also returns Murray, Hawkins, Jose Alvarado and Antonio Reeves. Even if Murray does not return to form, the team expects sizeable leaps from Hawkins and Reeves in 2025-2026. Advertisement Fears is listed at just 182 pounds, giving him a lot of room to grow into his frame. He gained popularity for his shifty highlight reel at Oklahoma, but similar players tend to take time adjusting to the next level. Fears certainly has the upside worth taking in the lottery, but is more of a long-term project than a day-one contributor. There is nothing wrong with gambling on Fears' upside, but the Pelicans need immediate help. New Orleans went just 21-61 in 2024-2025, missing the playoffs for the fifth time in the last seven years. Without any confidence in Zion Williamson's availability, the team desperately needs a new star to emerge and lead the franchise. Poole, who is now on his third team in four years, does not seem like the guy. Perhaps Fears turns into a superstar, but it will likely not happen right away. He was the best talent on the board at the time the Pelicans selected him, but Fears will likely cause them more growing pains early on than they might be able to handle. Grade: B- Round 1, Pick 13: PF/C Derik Queen (Maryland) Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images In the days following the 2025 NBA Draft, no player has been criticized more than Derik Queen. Despite quietly trotting through the entire pre-draft process, fans let all their opinions out after the Pelicans traded up to draft Queen. Advertisement Criticism aside, Queen was always viewed as the second-best center in the class and was drafted accordingly, taken three spots after Khaman Maluach. Nevertheless, with Yves Missi coming off a promising rookie campaign, many did not consider adding another center a worthwhile investment for the Pelicans. While Queen's guard-like skill set makes him one of the most volatile prospects of the draft, there is not much room for him to grow with the Pelicans. Missi proved himself as the team's starting center in 2025-2026, and Williamson, despite his injury woes, remains a dominant force whenever on the court. Queen will not overtake either guy anytime soon, and both are signed through the 2027-2028 season. Unless Queen is willing to accept a Naz Reid-like role, the Pelicans are quickly creating a frontcourt logjam. Queen received many Reid comparisons ahead of the draft, but that role is much more valuable to a contending team than a rebuilding one like New Orleans. Queen has elite potential, but the situation Dumars created within the team figures to come back to bite him. The Pelicans seem to view Queen as insurance for another Williamson injury, but the move comes with long-term consequences. In the best-case scenario, Queen delivers on his potential, but creates a messy situation once eligible for an extension. In the worst-case scenario, playing behind Williamson and Missi stunts his growth and shortchanges his career before it can even take off. Advertisement Grade: C Round 2, Pick 40: SG/SF Micah Peavy (Georgetown) Brad Penner-Imagn Image As a part of Dumars' admitted aggressive approach to the 2025 NBA Draft, he also landed a second-round pick in the McCollum-Poole deal. The pick, No. 40, ultimately turned out to be Georgetown guard Micah Peavy, a selection that raised several eyebrows. While Peavy dominated the Big East in 2024-2025, he did so as a fifth-year senior at his third different school. After being nothing more than a mid-tier role player at Texas Tech and TCU, his blow-up came as somewhat of a surprise. Many expected Peavy's name to be called in the second round, but not as early as it was. Advertisement Peavy will not have the same level of offensive success in the NBA, but his defensive prowess should translate. He has always been a solid defender, but took his game to another level at Georgetown, averaging a career-high 2.3 steals per game with the Hoyas. Peavy also enjoyed a career year from deep — hitting 40 percent of his three-point attempts in 2024-2025 — showing off his three-and-D potential at the next level. The Pelicans have no shortage of three-and-D wings, but no team can ever have too many of them in the modern NBA. Peavy, who has only missed seven games in his five-year collegiate career, also provides valuable durability to a team that seems to struggle with injuries as much as any other in the league. His age and lack of sustained success deterred several scouts, but Peavy already possesses an NBA-ready physique that makes him potentially ready to contribute immediately. Peavy's performance in the Summer League and preseason will be telling on how his career pans out. The pick just seemed like a slight reach for a player whom many teams behind the Pelicans likely did not have on their board. Grade: B- Related: Jordan Poole's 'so lit' message after Pelicans sign Kevon Looney Related: Pelicans sign 3-time NBA champion from Warriors in free agency
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pelicans declining team option on assists-per-minute leader
The post Pelicans declining team option on assists-per-minute leader appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New Orleans Pelicans are declining a team option on their assists-per-minute leader ahead of free agency. New Orleans is coming off a dismal season, recording just 21 wins in the Western Conference, which should be even more competitive next year. The roster is undergoing significant changes, having already traded Brandon Ingram and recently traded CJ McCollum, while adding several new pieces in the draft. Advertisement This franchise, however, appears to be moving on from a key player from last year. Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto confirmed the latest report. 'New Orleans Pelicans will decline the $3.15 million team option on Elfrid Payton, sources told @hoopshype. Payton led the NBA in assists per minute this season (.33) per @statmuse ahead of Trae Young (.32) and Nikola Jokic (.28). Payton is expected to have interest in free agency.' The 31-year-old has worked his way back to the NBA after a few years in the G-League. Payton has been a pro for over a decade and continually showcased his talents as an excellent playmaker. Meanwhile, New Orleans is bringing in Oklahoma standout Jeremiah Fears, who is expected to be the new floor general. The No. 7 pick is an incredible talent at the position, possessing the skillset to become an All-Star in the near future. New Orleans also made the bold decision to trade an unprotected first-round Big Ten Freshman of the Year Derik Queen at No. 13, while also drafting First-team All-Big East forward Micah Peavy with the No. 40 overall pick. All three of these players have the ability to contribute right away, and they'll need to if the Pelicans want to make it back to the postseason. Advertisement Of course, there is the looming shadow of Zion Williamson's health status, but even outside of the forward, the roster has enough talent to increase its win total significantly. It won't be easy in the West, especially with several teams, such as the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers, who were not even in the Play-In this past season, now expecting to contend for postseason slots in the 2025-26 season. And should Payton leave, someone will have to step up, as this roster continues to go through a youth movement. There are still plenty of reasons for fans to be excited despite the recent disappointment. Related: Jeff Teague makes grim retirement prediction for Pelicans' Zion Williamson Related: Derik Queen sends warning amid NBA Draft criticism
