The New Orleans Pelicans didn't mess around in the 2025 NBA draft, landing an intriguing, fast -- and young -- point guard at No. 7 overall in Oklahoma's Jeremiah Fears.
The 18-year-old was a star for the Sooners in his one collegiate season, averaging 17.1 points 4 rebounds, 4 assists and more than one steal per game. He'll have a clear path to early minutes in New Orleans, as well, with point guard Dejounte Murray a ways off as he recovers from a torn Achilles, and CJ McCollum now a member of the Wizards.
The pick marks the first in the Joe Dumars era, with the Louisiana native taking over the mantle of lead executive in New Orleans. It'd had been David Griffin in that role since the 2019 season.
The first six picks of the draft went as follows:
- 1. Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
- 2. Spurs: Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
- 3. 76ers: VJ Edgecome, G, Baylor
- 4. Hornets: Kon Knueppel, G, Duke
- 5. Jazz: Ace Bailey, G, Rutgers
- 6. Wizards: Tre Johnson, G, Texas
The Pelicans made an aggressive move later in the draft, trading No. 23 and a 2026 first-rounder to land another young player in Maryland center Derik Queen.
“We felt like we were going to have to choose between these two guys the entire night, so to end up getting both of them was just really exciting for us," Dumars said. We thought there was a chance that we could end up getting both of them, but you never can tell with so many teams moving around, so very happy tonight. Very happy to have these two young men and we think they’re going to be great additions to the Pelicans.”
Fears is the fourth former Sooner to be drafted in the top 10 since 2009, along with Blake Griffin (Clippers), Buddy Hield (Pelicans) and Trae Young (Hawks). This past season he led Oklahoma to a 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they fell to UConn in the first round. Fears is also the second former Oklahoma heading to New Orleans in this draft season, with the Saints drafting former Oklahoma linebacker in the 4th round last month.
The Pelicans entered the day with ammunition to potentially move up, but opted to stay firm at No. 7. They'll also have a second selection on Wednesday at No. 23 overall, a pick they acquired last week from the Pacers in exchange for a 2026 first-rounder (via the Raptors). The Pelicans were also busy this week, shipping McCollum to the Wizards in exchange for guard Jordan Poole, forward Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 overall selection, which would take place on Thursday.
“My offensive game is just, it’s very unique, something you don’t see nowadays, somebody that can pass, somebody that’s not afraid of the moment," Fears told WWL Radio, "somebody that plays with a ton of confidence and somebody that’s going to make the right play 90% of the time and somebody that’s going to get the team involved and also score the ball.”
Dumars has said the team intends to move forward with superstar forward Zion Williamson as its focal point, and it will look to bounce back from a 21-61 season that marked its worst since rebranding from the Hornets.