How MSU's Fears Joined College Basketball’s Elite
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This season, Jeremy Fears Jr. has not only played like one of the best players in the Big Ten, but also like one of the top performers in all of college basketball.
For much of the year, Fears led the nation in assists per game and now sits second nationally at 8.9 assists per contest, trailing only Purdue’s Braden Smith. He is also averaging a team-high and career-high 14.1 points per game while shooting an efficient 45.3% from the field.
Recently, Fears has elevated his play even further, leading Michigan State to eight wins in its last nine games. During that stretch, he has scored in double figures in all nine contests and recorded three double-doubles. Fears is averaging 18.6 points per game on 51% shooting from the field while knocking down 59 of 64 free-throw attempts.
He has continued to distribute the ball at a high level as well, averaging 8.4 assists per game over that span.
Fears Against Rutgers
In his most recent outing, Fears took complete control of the game—particularly in the second half. Michigan State struggled early, committing 10 turnovers in the first half and heading into halftime trailing 37–28.
After the break, Fears led the charge, sparking a nine-point comeback to force overtime. In the extra period, the Spartans dominated the Scarlet Knights 15–6 to secure the victory.
Fears finished the game with a career-high 27 points, surpassing his previous best of 23 points set just two weeks earlier.
His high-level play has firmly placed him among the top players in both the Big Ten and the nation.
Fears Earns National Recognition
That recognition was reflected in ESPN’s Top 50 Players in College Basketball list, compiled by Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf, where Fears was ranked No. 14 overall. Among Big Ten players, he trailed only Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 9) and Purdue’s Braden Smith (No. 5).
ESPN praised Fears’ growth and impact on the Spartans:
“Fears has taken over the full-time starting point guard spot for Tom Izzo and become one of the elite playmakers in college basketball. He ranks second in the country in assists (8.9 per game) and has scored at least 14 points in eight straight games entering the week, averaging 13.4 points on the season. Fears has had double-figure assists eight times, including last weekend’s 17-point, 17-assist performance.”
Jeremy Fears Jr. has become the engine that drives the Spartans. His ability to score efficiently, create opportunities for teammates, and take over games in critical moments has elevated both his individual profile and Michigan State’s ceiling. With national recognition now following his breakout season, Fears has firmly established himself as one of college basketball’s premier guards.
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