Right now, the Brooklyn Nets feel stuck. The team is not awful, but they still have a lot of building to do to become a relevant NBA team once again. They have got some talent in Cam Johnson, Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton, but the team has no real identity. And more importantly, no lead guard to set the tone.
That is where Jeremiah Fears comes in.
At just 18 years of age, Fears already carries himself like a future star. He reclassified to play college ball a year early, skipping his senior year of high school, and did not just keep up at Oklahoma, he took over. Fears took full advantage of his opportunity to shine by averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists as a true freshman, becoming the Sooners’ go-to guy from the jump.
He is explosive off the bounce, has an impressive tight handle, and gets into the paint at will. Not only that, Fears lives at the free-throw line, hitting 85% from the stripe.
He is more than just stats
Fears has a presence. He plays fast, makes advanced reads in the pick-and-roll, and has the ability to break down defenders, making it look easy. Yes of course he is raw in spots, especially finishing through contact and shooting the rock at an efficient level. This past season his shooting percentage was 43.4% from the field and 28.4% from three, indicating clear areas for improvement, but even with that being the case, there is no question his tools are legit, and his mindset is rare.
This is exactly the kind of player Brooklyn should be swinging on. With D’Angelo Russell possibly leaving and no long-term answer at point guard, the Nets are in desperate need of a floor general. Not just a guy to run plays but someone who can grow into a leader.
At 18, Fears might not be ready to dominate from day one, but he would have a real opportunity to develop under new head coach Jordi Fernández. He is not a finished product, but that is kind of the point. The Nets are not competing for a title next season. Fears would have a green light in Brooklyn giving him a great opportunity to learn the ropes without having to deal with any high pressure.
Jeremiah Fears plays like he has got something to prove. That’s exactly the kind of energy Brooklyn needs to build around. Drafting Fears could give the fans something to believe in again.