A big decision is looming for Michigan State All-American point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. as Wednesday’s NBA draft decision deadline is almost upon us.
In a little over 24 hours, we’re going to know if Fears is keeping his name in the NBA draft or returning for his junior season at Michigan State. It’s one of those life-altering decisions that every top college basketball player has to make at some point and now it’s Fears’ turn.
Michigan State is no stranger to losing players early to the NBA draft with Spartans such as Aaron Henry, Max Christie, and Jase Richardson all leaving with eligibility left since COVID. There are obviously more examples from the Tom Izzo era, but those are the most recent. One all-time example would be Marcus Taylor who left after a breakout sophomore year, was drafted late in the second round, and then never stuck in the NBA.
Izzo may be using that as a cautionary tale for the soon-to-be junior point guard from Illinois.
And while I hate using this phrase, I’ll say that Fears’ decision will ultimately make or break Michigan State’s 2026-27 season. Is that an overreaction? Normally I’d say yes, but when you consider that there are no point guards on the roster with collegiate experience behind Fears, it makes sense to use that cliche phrase.
Fears’ departure would likely ruin any chance the Spartans have of making a run at Izzo’s second national title next season. A return would make Michigan State a top-five team.
It’s not often that you see an NBA draft decision with this much weight behind it.
Will Jeremy Fears stay or will he go?
Reading NBA draft expert Jonathan Wasserman’s opinion on Fears really made me feel better about his return, but he went on to say that some kids are just done with college and don’t mind spending a year in the G-League instead of grinding at the NCAA level. Maybe that’s Fears.
By all accounts, however, Fears loves Michigan State. He’s one of the best point guards in America and he’s embraced that underdog role in East Lansing. His play style is very Mateen Cleaves-like.
Spartan fans will go to bat for him until the end of time, too, and you’re not going to get that same vibe from G-League or NBA fanbases. Loyalty is not the same at the next level so why not spend another year or two with your best friends before making that pro leap? It only makes sense.
If he stays, I think Michigan State is a Final Four team. If he leaves, Michigan State is maybe a Sweet 16 team. I just don’t love putting that much stock into one player, but it’s true.
My gut says that he’s going to return for his junior year. He’s too competitive to leave before his best shot at a national championship. He could go out on top.
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