Pelicans select Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears with No. 7 pick in 2025 NBA Draft

The New Orleans Pelicans selected Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, making the Oklahoma guard the school’s 50th all-time NBA Draft selection and 10th first-rounder. He’s OU’s fourth top-seven pick since 2009, joining Blake Griffin, Buddy Hield, and Trae Young.

Fears, who reclassified up a year and played his freshman season at just 18 years old, led the Sooners with 17.1 points, 4.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors and helping guide OU to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021. He finished the season strong, averaging 22.3 points, 4.9 boards, and 5.0 assists over the final nine games.

The 6-foot-4 guard from Joliet, Ill., was one of only three Power Four players and the only freshman to average at least 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.5 steals. He was a four-time SEC Freshman of the Week and scored 20+ points 11 times, including a career-high 31 against Missouri and a clutch 30-point outing in a win over Michigan.

Fears impressed in both non-conference and postseason play, including standout performances in the SEC Tournament and a strong showing against defending champion UConn in the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Porter Moser praised his maturity, work ethic, and competitive edge, calling him “way beyond his years.”

Now joining a retooling Pelicans squad that recently traded for Jordan Poole after a 21–61 season, Fears could play a key role in their rebuild. New Orleans still holds picks No. 23 and No. 40 heading into Thursday’s second round.

Fears becomes the second Sooner ever drafted by the Pelicans, following Buddy Hield in 2016.