Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears Heavily Linked to East’s Worst Team After 18–64 Season in Leadup to 2025 NBA Draft

With the 2025 NBA Draft looming and buzz intensifying around top college prospects, one name that continues to garner headlines is Oklahoma Sooners star guard Jeremiah Fears. A dynamic scorer with elite-level confidence and poise, Fears has been strongly linked to the NBA’s Eastern Conference bottom-dweller — a franchise that finished a miserable 18–64 and is desperate to hit reset with a foundational player.

Sources around the league have begun to circle the struggling franchise, long mired in mediocrity, as a likely landing spot for Fears. Though the team has not officially revealed its draft plans, several NBA insiders have confirmed that Fears has risen rapidly on their internal draft board — and could very well hear his name called early on draft night, perhaps even within the top three picks.

The 6-foot-3 point guard from Joliet, Illinois, spent one year at Oklahoma and instantly elevated the program’s national profile. Known for his lightning-quick first step, deep shooting range, and fierce competitiveness, Fears averaged 19.7 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 46% from the field and nearly 40% from beyond the arc. His floor leadership and fearless play in clutch moments helped the Sooners exceed expectations in a loaded Big 12 conference and reintroduce themselves into the March Madness conversation.

While Oklahoma bowed out earlier than hoped in the NCAA Tournament, Fears used that national spotlight to reaffirm his NBA-readiness. His March performances — including a 28-point, 9-assist showing against Kansas in the Big 12 tournament and a 24-point game against an elite defensive squad in the first round of the NCAA Tournament — turned heads among NBA scouts.

What makes the potential marriage between Fears and the East’s lowest-ranked team particularly compelling is fit. This is an organization that has lacked a true floor general since dealing away its last All-Star-level point guard. In recent seasons, the team cycled through numerous short-term stopgaps at the position, with little continuity or growth. Fears offers a fresh start and, more importantly, a potential franchise centerpiece who can energize the fanbase and provide identity.

The franchise has long operated without a clear direction, unable to find a young core capable of competing with the elite in the East. Despite having promising wing pieces and veteran contracts filling the rotation, the lack of a legitimate lead guard has been glaring. Fears not only brings playmaking and scoring but also carries a charisma and edge that can galvanize a locker room. His poise under pressure and refusal to back down from marquee matchups during the college season have drawn comparisons to past NBA greats who thrived in the point guard role as rookies.

Beyond the stats and on-court accolades, what stands out most about Jeremiah Fears is his confidence. Those close to Oklahoma’s program have described him as a vocal leader who relishes the big moment and is unafraid to take responsibility when the lights are brightest. That quality may be exactly what the 18–64 squad needs after a season of lethargic offense, questionable effort, and disillusioned fans. Fears plays with purpose — and he expects to win.

His rise up the draft boards has been meteoric. While some analysts initially projected him as a mid-lottery pick heading into his freshman year, Fears shattered those expectations with a stellar regular season and maturity beyond his age. NBA Combine interviews reportedly only reinforced the positive perception surrounding him. Executives noted his basketball IQ, competitive fire, and team-first approach.

One NBA scout who attended several of Fears’ college games said:

“Jeremiah has the it-factor. When you watch him play, it’s not just the talent — it’s the way he reads the game, how he commands the offense. He has the leadership tools you can’t teach. He reminds me of a young Chauncey Billups with a little more scoring pop.”

Another scout added:

“There are a lot of good guards in this draft. But if you’re looking for a guy to rebuild around, especially on a team with no identity, Fears makes a lot of sense. He has the charisma and work ethic to turn a program around.”

The East’s cellar-dwelling franchise certainly hopes that will be the case. After missing the playoffs for multiple seasons and undergoing multiple coaching changes, the pressure is on the front office to nail this pick. Team insiders have hinted that the franchise has conducted multiple interviews and workouts with Fears, and league executives noted that the young star left a strong impression.

Fears has also been praised for his defensive instincts. Though not the tallest or most physically dominant guard in the draft, he makes up for it with anticipation, lateral quickness, and the ability to pick off passes and disrupt passing lanes. At Oklahoma, he routinely guarded the opposing team’s best perimeter player and was never shy about the challenge.

Still, there are some concerns to address. While Fears’ offensive game is well-rounded, skeptics wonder how he’ll handle the physicality of NBA defenders. Others question if he can elevate his teammates in a more structured, slower half-court NBA offense. But those questions haven’t stopped executives from seeing his upside.

The comparison game is unavoidable in draft season, and Fears has drawn a wide range — from Tyrese Maxey to Jalen Brunson to a less physically imposing Damian Lillard. Each of those players entered the league with doubts but proved doubters wrong with work ethic and feel for the game — two traits Fears possesses in abundance.

As for the Sooners, head coach Porter Moser has already begun recruiting Fears’ replacement but knows the void left behind is immense. In a recent interview, Moser said:

“Jeremiah gave everything to this program. He wasn’t just a scorer — he was a competitor, a leader, and a standard-setter. We’re going to miss him. But we know he’s ready for what’s next.”

Fans of the struggling Eastern Conference franchise are certainly hoping “what’s next” includes seeing Fears in their uniform. The organization is starved for a reason to believe again — and if Fears falls to them in the draft, he could be the foundational piece they’ve long awaited.

The NBA Draft is always full of unpredictability. Trades, smokescreens, and surprise selections can reshape the board in an instant. But one thing appears increasingly clear — Jeremiah Fears is no longer flying under the radar. He’s front and center on the radar of the team that needs him most. And if the buzz proves accurate, one of college basketball’s brightest stars will soon be tasked with lifting one of the NBA’s darkest situations.

For Fears, that challenge may be exactly what he wants. He’s not a player who runs from expectations. He’s a player who chases them down, embraces the spotlight, and backs it up.

Come draft night, all eyes will be on him — and maybe, just maybe, on the franchise willing to bet its future on the fearless guard from Oklahoma.