New Orleans Pelicans Rookie Watch - Jeremiah Fears

For years, the New Orleans Pelicans have just been spinning their tires in the mud. Over the past ten seasons, the team has advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals only once and has made two other brief postseason appearances, despite boasting a roster full of playoff-worthy talent.

Last season proved to be a disaster in the Bayou, finishing 21-61, their worst record (minus the strike-shortened 2011-12 season) in twenty years. Now facing what seems to be a much-needed rebuilding process, the new President of Basketball Operations, Joe Dumars, has tinkered with the roster, which included adding Oklahoma Sooners’ freshman guard Jeremiah Fears.

Drawing comparisons to current Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray and Nuggets star Jamal Murray, the Pelicans hope that the seventh pick from the 2025 NBA Draft can be a focal point of their backcourt of the future.

A four-star recruit heading into what would be his one-and-done college career, Fears earned a spot on the All-SEC Freshman team while helping the Sooners to the Big Dance for the first time since 2021. Averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds, the 6’4” guard drew a lot of attention as one of the best guards in the 2025 class despite being one of the youngest.

That youthful inexperience was evident firsthand during the Pelicans’ Summer League games, where Fears averaged five turnovers per night, while shooting 40% from the field and 18% from three-point range. While those numbers didn’t exactly do the rookie any favors in earning the confidence of the coaching staff and fans heading into the season, Dumars has faith that with a little more time, the young guard will develop as envisioned, starting the year backing up projected starters Jordan Poole and Trey Murphy III.

It’s unlikely that Fears will match his 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists averages from Las Vegas. But if he contributes at least 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, while improving his shooting percentages and cutting down his turnovers as one of the first guards off of coach Willie Green’s bench, there could be a chance he finishes the year on one of the All-Rookie teams.