"Elite leader" is a term that could be used to describe Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., but it doesn't quite do the redshirt freshman justice. Fears and Tom Izzo both know the potential the young point guard has to be the next great to come out of Michigan State at the position.
We all know how great of a leader Fears is and he continues to prove it game in and game out.
Whether it was getting amped up after a near turnover by Michigan on the first play of the game on Senior Day or holding his teammates accountable for mistakes while also shouldering his own or just keeping this team as close-knit as it has been since the Spain trip over the summer, Fears knows how to lead by example and Izzo loves him for it.
However, his best and most eye-opening leadership moment may have come during the New Mexico game on Sunday as Izzo shared a Fears quote after the game that caught my attention.
Izzo said Jeremy Fears Jr looked at him in the huddle mid game and said “I want to win this more than you do.”
— OnTheBanks (@OnTheBanksOTRC) March 24, 2025
Generational leader 😤
Izzo wants to win more than anyone in the sport and you can tell he takes each game incredibly seriously. He looks almost sick to his stomach during every NCAA Tournament game because he knows it's win or go home time.
And despite all of that, Fears turned to his Hall of Fame coach and told him that he wants to win the game more than he does.
That's bold. And Izzo probably loved that.
Izzo loves when players challenge him and show that they're not going to back down while also being coachable and this type of moment from Fears may have just fired the Hall of Famer up even more.
This team is special, folks. And it all starts at the top.