Jeremy Fears recognized among nation’s best as Michigan State turns toward tournament play

Jeremy Fears Jr.’s season has already become one of the most remarkable individual campaigns in recent Michigan State basketball history. Just days before the Spartans open Big Ten Tournament play Friday, the junior point guard added another pair of honors to his résumé – First-Team All-Big Ten and Third-Team All-American recognition.

For Fears, the accolades carry deeper meaning. Less than a year after recovering from a life-changing injury, the Michigan State floor general has emerged as both the engine of the Spartans’ offense and one of the most decorated guards in the conference.

Yet Fears was quick to deflect the attention away from himself and toward the teammates he says helped make the season possible.

“I think maybe some of my other teammates deserve to be on some of those lists and whatnot,” Fears said. “But it’s special. I’m grateful, blessed, especially after recovering from a life-changing injury. I didn't think this would be possible, and just to have that opportunity, you can't do anything but thank God.”

While the accolades highlight the impact Fears has made on the court, he made it clear that the season and the spotlight that comes with it have not arrived without criticism. His aggressive and physical style of play has drawn attention during games, occasionally leading to outrage from opposing fans and official reviews by referees.

Those moments of physicality have sparked conversations on social media that Fears believes sometimes become exaggerated and do not accurately reflect the type of player he is.

“People try to make something bigger than what it is,” Fears said. “I've never tried to harm, hurt, or injure a player. I don't go into a game trying to hurt anyone. I think people make some things bigger than they are. It's not intentional.”

The criticism, Fears admits, can be difficult to navigate.