Jeremiah Fears commits to Oklahoma and will reclassify

Top-25 guard Jeremiah Fears has committed to Oklahoma and plans to reclassify to the class of 2024, he announced Saturday, allowing him to play for the Sooners next season.

Fears were allayed in Illinois earlier this month, and Oklahoma quickly emerged as a possible landing spot.

“I love their staff and their strength coach,” Fears told ESPN. “They have NBA experience. The coach… [Porter] Moser is a great developer. A very successful coach, a great person and a family man. I have to listen to the coaches and stay focused.

“I can help in transition, playing fast, scoring and creating plays. There's a great opportunity for me at OU and I know the SEC will be tough. I'm ready to get to work and get to campus.”

Fears, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Arizona Compass Prep (Arizona), is ranked No. 24 on the ESPN 100 for the class of 2025. With Moser losing his top three guards from last season, Fears will be the player to lean on immediately alongside transfers Duke Miles (High Point), Kobe Elvis (Dayton) and Brycen Goodine (Fairfield) in a new-look Oklahoma backcourt.

“I feel like I'm ready to take the next step and move up in 2024 and be a freshman in college,” Fears said. “I know I have a lot of work to do, especially on my body and in the film room. I've talked to a lot of NBA players. My goal is to play in the NBA. They told me I have to focus and work.”

Fears, the younger brother of Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears, has a noticeable burst of speed in the open court when attacking the rim. He's an effective ball-handler who can outrun defenders and finish the play or find an open teammate. His ability to read screens and his on-ball defense will carry him through once he's on campus.

In five games at this month's Nike Peach Jam, Fears averaged 21.2 points (including a 35-point performance against the NY Rens) and shot 38% from three-point range.