Jeremiah Fears, a standout guard from Chicago, has decided to reopen his recruitment after being committed to the Illini since January. Reports indicate that Fears plans to reclassify to the 2024 class and start college this fall rather than next year.
Fears announced his decision on X (formerly Twitter):
“First and foremost, I would like to thank the Illini nation for all the love and support they have given me and my family during my recruitment and commitment,” he wrote. “I want to express my gratitude to Coach Underwood and his staff for their open communication and belief in me as a future standout guard at the State Farm Center.
I genuinely intended to join Champaign in the class of 2025 and contribute to the team’s growth in the BIG10. However, after careful consideration and discussions with my family, I will be reopening my recruitment and exploring other options.”
Fears is the younger brother of Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears, who completed his freshman year with the Spartans. The older Fears averaged 3.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 15.3 minutes per game over 12 games before his season was cut short by a gunshot wound to the leg last December.
According to the 247Sports Composite, the younger Fears is the 32nd-ranked player nationally and the sixth-ranked combo guard. He was part of the USA Basketball under-18 team that won the FIBA AmeriCup earlier in June and currently plays for AZ Compass Prep School in Chandler, Arizona.
He is expected to be a highly sought-after recruit. Providence and Tennessee were among the schools that had previously recruited Fears before his commitment to Illinois.
