The Nets are going to begin their rebuild with the eighth decide in subsequent month’s NBA draft, and the participant they’re most frequently linked with is Jeremiah Fears.
If the electrifying level guard’s recreation and star-power swagger look acquainted, they need to.
He patterned himself after Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn’s former All-Star.
“I kind of modeled my game after Kyrie Irving, just the way he’s able to get to his spots and kind of rise up. You can’t stop Kyrie from getting to his spot,” mentioned Fears, who additionally emulates Stephen Curry and Anthony Edwards.
An 18-year-old freshman who starred at Oklahoma, Fears was talking Wednesday on the draft mix in Chicago. It was two days after the Nets had fallen to eighth within the lottery, a spot the place Fears may be the most effective possible possibility for them.
“It’s not a bad idea,” Fears smiled. “I actually like New York a little bit.”
Brooklyn virtually definitely would love him.
Predicted to be chosen as excessive as fifth in ESPN’s mock draft, Fears was tabbed to land in Brooklyn by The Athletic, SB Nation, CBS Sports activities and Draft Digest. Thus far, he’s solely labored out for the Nets and Wizards.
“Yes, I met with Brooklyn. I worked out for Brooklyn as well,” Fears mentioned. “The conversations were great. They were just telling me how they think I could fit within their system and be an overall good piece for them.”
In fact, with the Nets being a clean slate in determined want of high-end expertise, they don’t want to fret about roster match. And Fears would clearly present a possible main ball handler for coach Jordi Fernández to develop.
The place has been a revolving door ever since Irving left. Spencer Dinwiddie, Dennis Schröder and D’Angelo Russell have all been short-term fixes. Fears could possibly be a long-term reply.
“I can bring star power to any team. I know that,” Fears mentioned. “So just continuing to trust my work, believe in myself.”
Fears averaged 17.1 factors, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists final season. However carrying an enormous burden on a middling Oklahoma staff damage his effectivity, capturing 43.4 % total and simply 28.4 % from deep with 3.4 turnovers a recreation.
That capturing did come on late, as did his steal price. But when Fears lands with the Nets — or a lot of the groups within the lottery — he’d once more discover himself carrying a heavy workload in a shedding scenario. How would he deal with being on such a rebuilding staff?
“Just continue to do what I can do, put myself in the best position possible, put my team in this position possible,” Fears shrugged. “So we’re going to continue work whether we’re winning or not, going to continue to give our all every single game.”
Like Irving, Fears has proven a capability to get within the paint at will. His ending across the rim — and his protection — can be helped by including weight to his lithe 6-foot-4 body.
“I won’t say area of weakness, but just continue to build my body. It’s going to be a lot. So just prepare myself for the next step,” Fears mentioned. “Actually simply the load room, for actual. Simply proceed to dwell within the weight room and proceed to construct my physique.
“I weigh 183 right now. I’m trying to get to potentially 190. I wouldn’t be mad at 185, but I’m trying to get to 190.”
Clearly, Fears is a challenge. However he’s a high-upside swing for a staff reminiscent of Brooklyn that may afford to be affected person.
“Jeremiah has tremendous speed in the full-court combined with a great knack for scoring at all three levels,” Oklahoma coach Porter Moser mentioned.
And confidence. An abundance of it.
“They should be expecting a dog, somebody that brings star power,” Fears mentioned. “I fear no one, and I’m attacking everybody.”
