Photo: Nick King ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State redshirt sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. continues to establish himself as one of college basketball’s brightest young stars, earning a spot on the John R. Wooden Award Late Midseason Top 20 Watch List. The honor places the redshirt sophomore among the nation’s elite players and recognizes his impact on a Spartans team that has surged to a 21-5 record and a top‑15 national ranking. Selected by a panel of national experts, the list highlights the frontrunners for the Wooden Award Most Outstanding Player, one of the sport’s most prestigious individual honors.
Fears’ emergence this season has been remarkable. Already named to the Bob Cousy Award Midseason Top 10 as one of the nation’s best point guards, he leads Michigan State in scoring (15.1 points per game) and assists (9.2 per game). His efficiency stands out as well: He is shooting 43.3% from the field and nearly 90% at the free‑throw line. Beyond the numbers, Fears’ leadership as one of the team’s four captains has been a steadying force for the Spartans as they navigate a competitive Big Ten schedule.
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(CONTINUED) Nationally, Fears ranks first in assists per game and total assists, showcasing his ability to orchestrate the offense at an elite level. His 17-assist performance against Maryland was the second‑highest single‑game total in program history, and he followed it with 15 assists in an overtime win against Illinois. Performances like these have earned him two Big Ten Player of the Week honors and solidified him as one of the most dynamic playmakers in college basketball.
With Wooden Award voters expected to narrow the field to a 15‑player national ballot, Fears has positioned himself firmly in the race for postseason recognition. His combination of production, leadership and consistency has made him indispensable to Michigan State’s success and a standout on the national stage. As the season continues and the Spartans push toward March, Fears’ performance will remain central not only to MSU’s ambitions but also to the evolving conversation surrounding the nation’s most outstanding player.
