Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. Declares for NBA Draft

Sophomore guard will keep college eligibility while testing NBA waters

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:39pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball player's movements and actions, rendered in the vibrant colors of the Michigan State Spartans' team palette.Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. takes his NBA Draft prospects through a cubist lens, exploring the next step in his basketball journey.Lansing Today

Michigan State sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility. Fears, a key contributor to the Spartans' Sweet 16 run this past season, will go through the evaluation process with NBA teams before deciding whether to remain in the draft or return to East Lansing for his junior year.

Why it matters

Fears' decision to test the NBA waters is a significant development for the Michigan State basketball program, as he was their leading scorer and playmaker last season. His potential departure would be a major blow, but the option to retain his college eligibility provides the Spartans with roster flexibility heading into next year.

The details

Fears, a 6-foot-1 guard, averaged 14.8 points, 5.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game for the Spartans in the 2025-26 season. He helped lead Michigan State to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament before they were eliminated by UConn. By declaring for the NBA Draft, Fears will be able to participate in workouts and interviews with professional teams while maintaining the option to return to school if he decides not to turn pro.

  • Fears announced his decision to declare for the NBA Draft on April 10, 2026.
  • The 2026 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 26, 2026.

The players

Jeremy Fears Jr.

A 6-foot-1 sophomore guard for the Michigan State Spartans basketball team.

Michigan State Spartans

The men's basketball team of Michigan State University, a Division I program that competes in the Big Ten Conference.

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What they’re saying

“Jeremy has done a tremendous job for us the last two seasons, and we fully support his decision to explore his professional options. We'll work closely with him throughout this process to ensure he has all the information he needs to make the best decision for his future.”

— Tom Izzo, Head Coach, Michigan State Spartans

What’s next

Fears will now participate in NBA Draft Combine events and individual team workouts over the next two months to gather feedback from NBA teams. He has until June 12 to decide whether to remain in the draft or withdraw and return to Michigan State for his junior season.

The takeaway

Fears' decision to test the NBA waters is a testament to his strong sophomore season and the continued success of the Michigan State basketball program under head coach Tom Izzo. While his potential departure would be a significant loss, the Spartans are positioned well to reload for next season regardless of Fears' final choice.