Fears declares for the NBA Draft, but Spartan fans can rejoice. He's seeking scout feedback to refine his game before a potential epic return.
Jeremy Fears Jr. has officially declared for the NBA Draft.
Before Spartan fans lock themselves in a room and play “Goodbye My Lover” by James Blunt, take a breath—this declaration doesn’t necessarily mean Fears is leaving East Lansing for good.
Fears will maintain his college eligibility and is most likely entering the draft process to receive feedback from NBA scouts. That insight can be invaluable, helping him refine key areas of his game that need improvement if he wants to become one of the coveted 60 draft picks.
Being selected into the NBA is one of the most difficult accomplishments in sports. With just two rounds and 30 teams, there are only 60 available spots. Those limited openings are competed for by players from over 350 Division I programs, as well as international prospects and G League talent—all battling for a chance to be among the select few. And while getting drafted is a major achievement, carving out a lasting role in the league is even more challenging.
Fears is positioning himself to showcase his abilities in front of NBA scouts, absorb their feedback, and use it as a tool for growth.
With nothing more than a gut feeling—no sources, no inside communication—I believe Fears is using this opportunity to learn from NBA evaluators before returning to Michigan State with his sights set on a revenge tour like no other.
Already one of the most accomplished passers in Big Ten history, Fears set a Michigan State program record this past season with 328 assists, blowing past previous record-holder Cassius Winston (291) by a wide margin. He ultimately fell just short in the conference race, finishing 17 assists behind Braden Smith (345), who set the all-time Big Ten single-season record.
Still, Fears fully embraced his role as the team’s leader and floor general, thriving under pressure and never allowing the moment to become too big. Time and time again, he elevated the Spartans beyond what many expected.
Michigan State entered the season ranked No. 22, largely due to uncertainty surrounding Fears’ ability to lead, along with questions about the starting lineup. But he quickly silenced the doubts, guiding the Spartans to several key early wins—including a statement victory over Arkansas to open the season, the same team that ended MSU’s NCAA Tournament run the year prior.
That No. 22-ranked squad continued to climb and rarely looked back. Although the Spartans stumbled late in the season, they appeared rejuvenated during the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Ultimately, however, they fell just short against UConn, who went on to reach the national championship before falling to eventual champion Michigan.
Fears likely won’t be the only Spartan to test the NBA Draft waters. High-flying forward Coen Carr is also expected to explore the process before potentially returning for one final run under Tom Izzo.
Fears enjoyed an incredibly successful season, but like any player with NBA aspirations, there are areas for improvement. One point of emphasis—often mentioned by those outside East Lansing—is his on-court composure, particularly avoiding unnecessary “kicking” incidents that have drawn scrutiny. At times, those moments have painted him in a negative light, something he’ll need to clean up moving forward. The reality is, Fears has the talent to be the best point guard in the nation without any extracurricular distractions.
Despite the NBA interest, all signs point toward a return to Michigan State. While he does have NBA bloodlines—his brother, Jeremiah Fears, is already in the league—teams could still take a late-round chance on his upside and pedigree.
That said, the smarter path may be a return to East Lansing. Another year would give Fears the opportunity to break his own records, lead the Spartans deeper into March than they’ve gone in nearly a decade, and significantly boost his draft stock—potentially into lottery territory, where a much larger payday awaits.