Oklahoma Basketball Legacy Continues As Jeremiah Fears Becomes Fourth Top Ten NBA Draft Pick In Two Decades
The Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball program, while often overshadowed by blue-blood programs like Duke, Kentucky, or Kansas, has slowly and quietly carved out a significant legacy in the modern NBA Draft era. With the selection of dynamic guard Jeremiah Fears in the top 10 of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Sooners now boast four top-10 draft picks in the past two decades. This achievement not only speaks volumes about Fears’ individual talent and determination, but also about the program’s growing influence in preparing elite prospects for the professional level.
Jeremiah Fears entered his college career with high expectations, having been one of the more sought-after prospects in his class. His time in Norman, Oklahoma, only amplified the buzz surrounding his game. Fears combined exceptional ball-handling, explosive first-step quickness, high basketball IQ, and elite perimeter scoring ability to quickly become the focal point of the Sooners’ offense. His game drew comparisons to some of the league’s most polished guards—sharp off the dribble, intelligent in pick-and-roll situations, and tenacious on the defensive end.
Scouts had kept tabs on Fears from the beginning of his freshman season, and he didn’t disappoint. Averaging over 18 points per game, 6 assists, and 2 steals, he showed that he was more than just hype—he was production. The spotlight didn’t just make him shine brighter; it revealed his readiness for the next stage. His combination of confidence, leadership, and relentless work ethic made him one of the most complete players in the college game.
The NBA took notice.
When his name was called as a top-10 pick, Fears joined an elite fraternity of Oklahoma alumni who had made that leap before him—each of them top-tier talents who translated their collegiate excellence into immediate professional promise. Among those names are Blake Griffin, the high-flying forward who went first overall in 2009 and revolutionized the Los Angeles Clippers alongside Chris Paul; Trae Young, the sharpshooting and crafty point guard who electrified fans with his deep range and court vision before being drafted 5th overall in 2018; and Buddy Hield, while just outside the top 10 at 6th in 2016, who nonetheless marked a significant benchmark for OU basketball.
What makes Fears’ rise particularly compelling is how his journey reflects the evolving demands of the NBA. Unlike Griffin, a physical marvel who dominated the post, or Young, whose offensive genius was largely predicated on range and vision, Fears represents the new-age NBA guard: a versatile two-way player capable of switching assignments, hitting threes with consistency, and initiating offense in transition or half-court sets. His ability to adapt to any tempo, make reads in split seconds, and defend multiple positions will give his NBA team a dynamic weapon in the backcourt.
His impact at Oklahoma went beyond the box score. He reinvigorated the program during a time when recruiting wars were increasingly being dominated by NIL deals and transfer portal chaos. He was a foundational piece, someone who bought into the vision of development and hard work. His presence galvanized the locker room, unified fans, and raised the standard for what Sooners basketball could be. There was a confidence in the team’s stride, and a belief that they were building something special with Fears at the helm.
His freshman season was littered with signature moments: a game-winning step-back three over a ranked Baylor team; a dominant 30-point night against Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse; and a triple-double in a heated Bedlam rivalry match against Oklahoma State. These weren’t just highlight-reel plays—they were declarations of his readiness to lead, to win, and to shine under pressure. And in every post-game interview, Jeremiah remained grounded, crediting his teammates, coaching staff, and family for his success.
It’s this humility, paired with his relentless motor, that made him such a coveted prospect. NBA franchises crave players who not only have talent but also the maturity and mindset to elevate a locker room. Fears fit the mold. Scouts praised his poise and coachability just as much as his skill set. And behind every mock draft projection, every scouting report, there was one common thread: this kid is ready.
The Oklahoma program has now built a pattern—one top-10 pick every half-decade. That’s not coincidence. That’s a result of commitment to player development, to system structure, and to recruiting players who want to grow in all aspects of the game. The Sooners have never been shy about their goals, and the success of players like Fears will only accelerate their ability to attract the next wave of future NBA stars.
The synergy between player and program can’t be overstated. For Fears, Oklahoma gave him the platform to experiment, to fail safely, and to ultimately dominate. For Oklahoma, Fears gave them a year of brilliance, leadership, and highlight plays that brought attention to a program striving to return to national prominence. Their partnership was mutually beneficial, and now, with his NBA journey beginning, Fears carries the torch for the next generation of Sooner greatness.
The draft night itself was a spectacle. With his family in the front row, his coaches just a few seats away, and a sea of Sooners fans watching from home, Jeremiah Fears heard his name called and rose to the stage—sharp suit, sharp mind, and dreams in hand. The moment was decades in the making for his family, and a historic continuation of Oklahoma’s rise on the professional basketball landscape.
He addressed the media with the composure of a seasoned vet: “I’m grateful for every coach and teammate who helped me get here. This isn’t just my moment—it’s ours. Oklahoma believed in me when it mattered, and I’ll always carry that with me.”
What lies ahead for Fears is both exciting and challenging. As a top-10 pick, expectations will be immense. But if his college career is any indicator, he’ll embrace the spotlight rather than shy away from it. The NBA will throw faster defenders, bigger bodies, and more complex schemes at him, but Jeremiah’s discipline and adaptability will serve him well.
He’ll be tasked with running an offense, earning the respect of veteran teammates, and continuing to sharpen his craft. But even as he steps onto an NBA court for the first time, his Oklahoma days will remain close to his heart. He’ll wear that legacy not just on his resume, but in his game—the grit, the confidence, the fire. Because that’s what the Sooners instilled in him, and that’s what he now brings to the biggest stage in basketball.
For Oklahoma, the impact is equally profound. Jeremiah Fears’ draft success is more than just a feather in their cap—it’s proof that the program is thriving, that it can develop stars, and that it belongs in the national recruiting conversation. His story becomes a recruitment tool, a motivational benchmark, and a chapter in the growing lore of Oklahoma basketball.
The question now isn’t whether Oklahoma can produce NBA talent. It’s who’s next.
Jeremiah Fears’ journey to the top 10 of the NBA Draft is a testament to talent meeting opportunity, to a program investing in its players, and to a young man who never stopped believing in his dream. With every dribble, pass, and jumper, he’s not just representing himself or even just the Oklahoma Sooners—he’s showing the next generation of players what’s possible when preparation meets purpose.
In two decades, Oklahoma has watched four of its own ascend to the NBA’s biggest stage, drafted among the elite. Now, with Jeremiah Fears, they celebrate yet another chapter in a story that’s far from finished.
