Michigan State fans were treated to elite point guard play this season, courtesy of sophomore sensation Jeremy Fears Jr. He finished his sophomore season as the Big Ten’s leader in assists per game and he improved his scoring touch but still has a lot of work to do there.
That didn’t stop him from entering his name into the NBA draft and testing the waters. He was invited to the NBA Combine where he improved his stock.
A portion of the Michigan State fanbase has hands over the panic button, ready to smash it if Fears ultimately decides to remain in the NBA draft. However, I don’t see that happening.
Here’s why I think Fears returns to the Spartans for at least one more year.
1. He won’t leave if he’s not a first-rounder
Fears was asked what it would take for him to remain in the NBA draft and end his Michigan State career two years early, and his answer was pretty simple: he wants to be a first-rounder. Unfortunately for him, I just don’t see him sneaking into the first round in any mocks even after a strong showing at the NBA Combine.
The highest that I’ve seen Fears projected is No. 47 overall to the Phoenix Suns but I just don’t think that’s going to be enough to convince him to remain in the draft.
Plus, Izzo has already said that he feels good about a Fears return.
2. Why take a pay cut?
Second-round picks are often splitting time between the G-League and their NBA affiliate and I just don’t see Fears wanting that life for himself next season. On top of that, there’s just no way that he’s going to take a pay cut for even less stability as a second-rounder.
A second-round pick usually signs for the rookie mimimum which is around $1.2 million per year. According to people who study such things, Fears’ NIL evaluation is somewhere around $2 million per season but I’d assume that he’s going to see a pay increase this year after being named an All-American.
Why take the pay cut? It doesn’t make a ton of sense.
3. Legacy is important to him
For most players nowadays, their legacy at the collegiate level doesn’t mean a whole lot. Many players are choosing schools just for the paychecks and not for the name on the front of the jersey, but Fears is not like most players. His legacy means the world to him.
Obviously his goal is to make it to the NBA and he’s very close to realizing that dream, but he knows that he has to add some components to his game before he can be an NBA point guard.
Why leave two years early when you could stay and become one of the greats to ever play for Michigan State? The one instance of that happening that comes to mind is Marcus Taylor’s departure after the 2001-02 season when he broke out for 16.8 points and he led the Big Ten in assists per game — sound familiar? He fizzled out quickly at the next level. He wasn’t ready.
Fears should use that exact situation as proof that a budding legacy can be ruined by a risky decision. The safest bet is coming back, proving to be a first-round talent, and then going back out next cycle and trying to solidify that early selection.
He wants to win some rings first.
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