The pregame sweat had barely dried when Jeremiah Fears began scanning the sidelines.
Then he spotted him.
OU men’s basketball coach Porter Moser rose from his seat, arms outstretched, greeting his former star guard with a long embrace.
“Coach Moser being there for my first game back in Oklahoma was super cool for me,” Fears said. “I know we’re just gonna continue to build our relationship on from here.”
Moser wasn’t alone in making the trip. Both the OU men’s and women’s basketball teams filled seats inside Paycom Center on Sunday, and they picked the right day to show up.
Despite a 137–106 loss to the Thunder, Fears delivered a promising performance in his homecoming. The rookie guard posted 16 points, four rebounds and four assists on 6-of-13 shooting, scoring eight of the Pelicans’ first 12 points.
Afterward, he shared a brief moment at midcourt with the OU men’s team as well.
“It becomes real pretty quick to see him start today,” Moser told The Oklahoman. “I remember just sitting with him at the draft in June. Then today he came out and drained his first two 3s like he usually does, so he’s definitely not afraid of the stage.
“It’s just exciting to see how hard he’s worked, especially when you remember he’s still so young.”
With Dejounte Murray sidelined with a ruptured Achilles and Jordan Poole struggling early, Fears has been thrust into the Pelicans’ starting lineup.
And he’s run with the opportunity.
He’s averaging 13.7 points and 3.8 assists while shooting 46.5% from the field through his first six NBA games. Despite an undersized frame, he’s also made a defensive impact to average 1.5 steals per game.
Just two nights earlier, Fears made history, becoming the youngest player since 2000 to score 20 points in an NBA game with a 21-point showing against the Nuggets.
“It’s crazy,” Fears said. “About a year ago I was finishing up my high school stuff, and then I entered college and now I’ve played in college and the NBA in the same year. Everything’s been happening so fast, but I’m just trying to be where my feet are and try to enjoy every single moment and continue to get better.”
Fears’ meteoric rise began in Norman.
He reclassified to join OU early, bypassing his senior year of high school and immediately made waves as a freshman. Fears averaged 17 points, 4.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds for the Sooners while showcasing advanced scoring instincts and poise beyond his age.
That breakout season vaulted him into lottery status, leading the Pelicans to select him seventh overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Now, just months later, he’s proving New Orleans’ faith was well placed.
“When you think about Jeremiah just being 19 years old, he’s so much more mature,” New Orleans coach Willie Green said. “He’s displayed that ever since he’s come into our program. Every day he’s working. He’s one of those guys that is relentless and continues to attack on both ends of the floor. We feel extremely comfortable with him being on the floor, even in crunch time situations.”
The Pelicans remain winless, but Fears’ emergence offers a glimpse into their future and perhaps a cornerstone talent to build around.
Still, the rookie is keeping perspective.
“You have your moments here and there, but I’m trying to stay focused throughout the whole season,” Fears said. “It’s more work to be done. I never get too satisfied with how I play so far, and we haven’t got to win so that’s really all that matters. Continue to get in the gym, stay focused and try to get that first one.”
Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @thejordancdavis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com