In very big news this week, one of the top overall prospects in America's 2025 Class announced his decision to re-open his college recruitment. AZ Compass Prep's 5-star point Jeremiah Fears (University of Illinois commit) decided to de-commit from the University of Illinois, and will now look to make a new announcement in the near future. Fears has also announced that he will be reclassifying to the 2024 Class from the 2025 Class - a move that will allow him to forgo his senior season at AZ Compass Prep and will allow him to play for a Division-I program this fall.
Fears is regarded a one of the nation's elite talents at the guard position, so the decision to move up to the 2024 Class will not be a stretch for him. Fears is currently being recruited now by a large number of Division-I programs, and Kentucky and Arizona State have emerged as two potential suitors for Fears, among many others.
Fears originally committed to the Illini over offers from Kansas, Michigan, Ole Miss and Providence. He holds additional offers from Tennessee, Arizona, Oregon, Gonzaga, Michigan State, Florida State and Georgia. Fears is currently ranked 33rd nationally by 247 Sports for the 2025 class and the seventh-best combo guard. ESPN, On3, and Rivals classify him as a point guard. His highest ranking is 24th overall at ESPN.
Fears was among the top overall 2025 Class performers on the NIKE EYBL circuit again this spring and summer, while competing for Brad Beal Elite (MO), a Nike sponsored program, organized by NBA guard Bradley Beal (Phoenix Suns). Like Bradley Beal, who recently joined the Phoenix Suns and moved to Arizona, Fears followed suit - joining the AZ Compass Prep basketball program in Chandler, Arizona. Fears came to AZ Compass Prep before last season and had a successful season with AZ Compass, while playing against the nation's best competition and transitioning to running the point guard position full-time for AZ Compass for much of the season. Fears is an impressive combo-guard prospect, but I believe his true value will be realized over time at the point guard position, as a result of his craftiness and ability to make plays off the dribble for himself and his teammates.
I will continue to follow Fears and his college recruitment and bring you any updates as they continue to develop.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Fears is a really nice talent from the guard position, either with the basketball in his hands or off the ball. He is a floor general with a superb feel for the game, and plays the game in a different manner than his opposition. He is a unique talent that can score almost at will, and also loves to make plays for his teammates - creating scoring opportunities off the dribble in a crafty manner. With the ball in his hands, Fears is a very shifty guard prospect that gets defenders off balance with his hesitation dribble, and excellent body control in the lane. He is a strong finisher in the lane and over bigger defenders. He has a very good shooting stroke with range, which sets up his floaters and drives in the lane. He can score and pass effectively with either hand and plays fast and with constant aggression. An excellent defender on the ball also with very quick hands and feet, that plays passing lanes and disrupts opposing offensive sets with his defensive energy and tenacity. Fears is an impressive combo-guard prospect, but I believe his true value will be realized over time at the point guard position, as a result of his craftiness and ability to make plays off the dribble for himself and his teammates. One of my favorite overall prospects in the country.
