Michigan State sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. announced on Wednesday, April 9, 2026, that he will enter the 2026 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility. The decision allows him to participate in the draft process and return to school if he chooses to withdraw by the NCAA's deadline.
Fears, a 6-foot-2 guard, played in 31 games for the Spartans during the 2025-26 season, averaging 11.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. He led the team in assists and was second in scoring. His season was notably impacted by a serious leg injury he suffered in December 2025, which required surgery and caused him to miss 12 games.
"After talking with my family and Coach Izzo, I have decided to test the waters and enter my name into the 2026 NBA Draft," Fears said in a statement posted to social media. "I will be maintaining my college eligibility throughout the process." The NCAA's early entry withdrawal deadline for players to retain college eligibility is typically in late May or early June, following the NBA Draft Combine.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo expressed support for Fears's decision, calling it a "smart move" to gather feedback from NBA teams. Fears was a highly-touted recruit and McDonald's All-American coming out of high school in 2024.
