Described as an effective ball handler and a dynamic scorer, Fears joined an empty 2024–25 Oklahoma Sooners backcourt following the transfers of starters Javian McCollum, Otega Oweh, and Milos Uzan. [4]
Freshman season
On November 4, 2024, Fears debuted for Oklahoma, recording 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals off the bench against Lindenwood. [5] He continued to come off the bench until the Sooners' fourth game against East Texas A&M on November 21 where he tallied a game-high 20 points. [6] In the 3-game November 27–29 2024 Battle 4 Atlantis, Fears led Oklahoma to an upset win over No. 24 Arizona in the semifinals, posting a then season-high 26 points, along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists. [7] Fears, alongside teammate Jalon Moore, led Oklahoma to the championship, averaging 18.7 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.7 steals, earning himself all-tournament team honors and being named on December 2 as the SEC Freshman of the Week. [8] On December 14, Fears posted 17 points and 5 assists in an 80–65 victory over rival Oklahoma State. [9] On December 18 against No. 24 Michigan in the 2024 Jumpman Invitational, Fears posted a career-high 30 points, including a game-winning four-point play after being fouled on a made three-pointer with 11.5 seconds remaining. [10] He became the first Oklahoma true freshman since Trae Young in 2018 to score 30-plus points. Fears would later earn his second Freshman of the Week award following his performance against Michigan and Central Arkansas. [11] On January 7, 2025, Fears was named as one of 25 midseason finalists for the Wooden Award. [12] After going scoreless against Texas A&M, Fears scored a team-high 21 points on February 1, notching his sixth game of at least 20 points, in a 97–67 victory over No. 24 Vanderbilt. [13] On February 22 against No. 21 Mississippi State, Oklahoma snapped a five-game losing streak behind Fears' first career double-double, with 27 points and 10 assists. [14]
Following the season, Fears declared for the 2025 NBA draft. [15]
