2025 NBA Draft Scouting Report for New Orleans Pelicans No. 7 Pick Jeremiah Fears

The New Orleans Pelicans have selected Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

Not long ago, the 18-year-old was viewed as a long-term upside play, but he's recently started looking a lot more like a player who could make an immediate impact.

After a strong showing at the combine and some impressive private workouts, Fears steadily climbed big boards and mock drafts, turning heads with his speed, shot creation and confidence.

Fears is a dynamic lead guard with real burst, a deep bag of dribble moves and a jumper that plays from all over the floor. He can create space in tight windows, break down defenders one-on-one and score in bunches when he's in rhythm.

He was an SEC All-Freshman team member in 2025.

At just 6'3", though, he will need to prove he can hold up physically at the next level, but his offensive tools are legit.

Overall, Fears projects as a long-term scoring guard who can change pace and change games, especially as he continues to grow into his frame and tighten his decision-making.

We're probably not talking about a perennial All-Star. But there's a chance his ceiling could rise as a crafty, effective lead guard.

Fears ranks No. 12 on B/R NBA draft expert Jonathan Wasserman's 2025 Prospect Big Board.

Essential Facts and Stats

College: Oklahoma | Position: PG | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 180 lbs | Age: 18 | Vertical: 36½" | Wingspan: 6'5¼" | PPG: 17.1 | RPG: 4.1 | APG: 4.1 | BPG: N/A | SPG: 1.6 | FG%: 43.4 | 3PT%: 28.4

Realistic Pro Comparison: Dejounte Murray

Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images

Fears resembles New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray with his quickness, mid-range scoring and playmaking flashes.

Both can excel as point-of-attack creators, but their scoring ability also allows them to play the 2.

Decision-making, three-point shooting and defense are similar weaknesses they share.

Strengths

Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Creation: Fears used his quickness, burst and ball-handling to shake free and get to his spots. NBA defenses will be more physical, but these creation skills look like they'll translate.

Shotmaking: Fears shot well in the mid-range and found ways to hit tough shots around the paint. Again, adapting to pro defenses will come with a learning curve, but this skill will be highly valuable considering his size.

Playmaking: The guard showed enough playmaking for NBA teams to see a lead point guard, rather than just a combo.

Weaknesses

Melissa Tamez/NBAE via Getty Images

Shooting: Three-point range was a much bigger challenge for Fears than pull-up twos. He'll need to show improvement here to really keep defenses honest.

Decision-making: Fears forced the issue too many times with his dribble and passes. His processing wasn't great for a high-usage guard.

Defensive Tools: At 6'2½" barefoot, Fears was inconsistent defensively around the perimeter. In the NBA, he won't have the tools to guard more than one position.