Pelicans Draft Jeremiah Fears No. 7 Overall

The New Orleans Pelicans selected Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, marking the first major move under new lead executive Joe Dumars. Fears, an 18-year-old from Joliet, Illinois, earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors after averaging 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game in his debut college season. He is recognized for his exceptional ball-handling, quick first step, and clutch performances but is considered a high-upside, somewhat risky prospect due to his size and 28.4% three-point shooting. The Pelicans' backcourt is undergoing changes, with uncertainty due to Dejounte Murray's injury and CJ McCollum's departure, potentially giving Fears early opportunities without immediate pressure for a large role. Many analysts project Fears to develop into a strong scorer and playmaker as he gains strength and experience. Fears is the highest local pick since Jahlil Okafor in 2015 and the first Oklahoma top-10 selection since Trae Young in 2018.