Club 520 - Jeremiah Fears on NBA Draft, HOOPING with Pelicans being a STAR at Oklahoma

Summary

Club 520 Podcast – Jeremiah Fears on NBA Draft, HOOPING with Pelicans & Being a STAR at Oklahoma

Episode Date: February 14, 2026
Hosts: Jeff Teague, DJ Wells, Bishop B Henn
Guest: Jeremiah Fears

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Episode Overview

In this engaging All-Star Weekend episode, the Club 520 crew sits down with breakout NBA rookie Jeremiah Fears. The group dives into Fears’ basketball journey—from family roots in hoops and AAU battles, to starring at Oklahoma, navigating the NBA draft process, and adapting to the league as an emerging guard with the New Orleans Pelicans. Fears brings candid, energetic stories about self-confidence, pressure, rivalries, and adjusting to the NBA grind, with hosts Jeff Teague, DJ Wells, and Bishop B Henn steering the conversation with humor and authentic hoops insight.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Family Hooper Roots & Early Days

• Indy Heat, Family Ties, and AAU Memories

  • Fears shares how battling his older brother hardened his motor and hunger for competition.
  • “Playing against my older brother… he was always bigger, stronger than me, he was never taking it easy… Once I finally start getting bigger and stronger, I just took it and ran with it.” (05:00)

• AAU Exposure & Journey to Indy Heat

  • Fears recounts his playing years with Indy Heat, talking about how he joined the team and his brother’s influence on the decision.
  • “I just came from Brad Bill and Indy Heat reached out… my older brother played with them the year before, so ended up switching up a little bit.” (04:24)

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2. High School Success & College Transition

• Jump from High School to Oklahoma

  • Fears reflects on confidence gained from “playing up” against older kids and his transition to collegiate ball.
  • “Once I got to college, it was basically the same thing…still had the confidence to go out there and do what I’m capable of doing.” (06:07)

• Choosing Oklahoma and SEC fit

  • The decision process for picking a college was tough, but he felt Oklahoma’s staff and conference aligned best with his game.
  • “Picking a college…you go to the wrong situation, coach might not rock with you…definitely picking the right school was big for me.” (06:40)
  • “The SEC was the best fit for my game, my playstyle.” (07:01)

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3. Observations on College Growth: Strength, Team Culture, Eating Habits

• Weight Room & Development

  • “First week I get switched on the big…he trying to post me up, I’m like, man, this strong…After that, I was good.” (07:16)
  • Details on college weight training and diet. Gained 10–12 pounds quickly, emphasizing college programming’s intensity.

• Team Culture and “Buying In”

  • Positive, supportive teammates made success possible: “Sometimes it be tough, they could be hating…But my teammates, they was happy for me. We was out there doing it together.” (09:15)

• Freshman Stardom & Confidence

  • Fears reveals he quickly realized he was NBA-bound:
    • “Second week, I texted my dad…I’m going top five. He was like, you think so? I said, I know so.” (10:41)

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4. Rivalries, Highlights, and ‘Business’ of College Basketball

• Rivalry Environment

  • “In the NBA [compared to college], the student sections…being creative. They might got your mama on the post, girlfriend…But at the end of the day…it was adding fuel to the fire.” (13:03)

• Memorable Opponents & Grudge Matches

  • “We played Georgia first…fans and players talking wild…ended up seeing them in the SEC tournament. I destroyed them.” (14:08)
  • “[Kentucky]—player transferred from Oklahoma, made game-winners on us twice…He had ran full court and just threw it up with the left…No way he just gamed us like that.” (15:05)

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5. Draft Process & Jump to the NBA

• Workouts & Conditioning

  • Discussed the intensity of NBA pre-draft workouts: “Utah…the air out there already different. Three-minute run…from one end to the other, full speed for three minutes. By the time you get to like 20, your legs and body about to give out.” (16:25)

• Draft Night Emotions

  • “Your heart was racing…you just sitting at that table…Once I seen all the cameras…put my head down like I’m about to get drafted.” (18:03)

• Joining the Pelicans

  • Confirmed New Orleans was one of the four teams he worked out for and discussed how different NBA situations can shake out unexpectedly. (18:59)

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6. Adjusting as a Rookie in the NBA

• Speed of the Game

  • “Definitely the speed of the game [is the biggest adjustment]…Once the game slows down, it gets easier. Starting to understand coverages, reads, scout reports…” (19:38)

• First Big NBA Paycheck

  • “I think I was sitting in the bed…that joint did count, I got up and started dancing. Everybody was like, why you dancing? I’m like, bro, don’t worry about.” (20:09)

• On-Court Mentality and Talking Trash

  • “You can’t just be talking if you ain’t doing nothing. So, we gotta back it up a little bit…keep showing what you’re capable of, don’t be afraid of matchups.” (21:25)

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7. Star Matchups and Locker Room Lessons

• Facing NBA Superstars

  • First “damn, I’m here” moment was playing against Kevin Durant.
    • “Played him preseason, but he wasn’t really trying…once the season came, you playing great defense…he catch that joint, take that one dribble and rise up…still bottom…He don’t even see you.” (22:29)

• Veteran Mentorship

  • Names DeAndre Jordan, Dejounte Murray, and teammates “Z,” Trey as providing key guidance for adapting to the league.
  • “Some don’t play our position, but they know what they’re talking about…learning the refs, the league system…Definitely learned a lot so far.” (23:17)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On what confidence looks like:

  • “I texted my dad…second week, I’m going top five. He was like, you think so? I said, I know so.” (10:41, Jeremiah Fears)

• On team support in college:

  • “My teammates…happy for me whether it was a good game, bad game…If I did have a bad game: ‘You good, bro, you gonna shake back.’ I think that went a long way.” (09:15, Jeremiah Fears)

• On rivalry trash talk:

  • “The student sections…might got your mama on the post, girlfriend…At the end of the day, it was super exciting—adding fuel to the fire.” (13:03, Jeremiah Fears)

• About the NBA draft night moment:

  • “Once I seen all the cameras…put my head down like I’m about to get drafted. Walked up there, put the hat on, shook Adam Silver’s hand…Dream come true.” (18:03, Jeremiah Fears)

• NBA adjustment:

  • “Speed of the game…once the game starts slowing down, it’s going to become a lot more easier…that was the biggest adjustment.” (19:38, Jeremiah Fears)

• About that first big check:

  • “That joint did count…I got up and just started dancing.” (20:09, Jeremiah Fears)

• First big superstar matchup:

  • “KD…you can play great defense…he catch that joint, take that one dribble and rise up…You contest…still bottom of the net.” (22:29, Jeremiah Fears)

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Important Timestamps

• Jeremiah talks family & early days: 04:24–05:55
• High school/college transition: 06:04–07:15
• College weight room, gaining size: 07:16–08:13
• Teammate support & buy-in: 09:15
• Fears’ early confidence about NBA: 10:41
• Rivalry games & trash talk: 13:03–13:35
• College grudge matches (UGA/Kentucky): 14:08–15:29
• NBA draft workouts & process: 16:23–18:03
• Draft night emotions: 18:03
• Pelicans and pro adjustments: 18:59–21:25
• Facing superstars (KD): 22:29
• Veteran mentors: 22:56–23:17
• Concluding remarks/Pelicans shout-out: 23:44–24:07

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Final Thoughts

This episode offers an energetic deep-dive into Jeremiah Fears’ transition from top collegiate star to NBA rookie, highlighting the unique pressures, competitiveness, and lifestyle changes of high-end basketball. Fears’ passion, humor, and humility stand out as he shares stories of sibling battles, college challenges, rookie adjustments, and his candid appreciation for the mentors helping him adapt in the league. All told in the high-spirited, ball-focused banter that Club 520 fans know and love.

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For More: Find Club 520 Podcast on all major platforms and follow @club520podcast for future guests and episodes.

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

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[DJ Wells]

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[Jeremiah Fears]

Going to the bathroom in public, so.

[Commercial Voice]

We decided to sing about it.

[DJ Wells]

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[Jeremiah Fears]

For my rear so let the softness caress your soul Just relax, you're on.

[DJ Wells]

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[Podcast Co-host 1]

Charmin the volume.

[DJ Wells]

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[DJ Wells]

All right man, we back another episode of Club five twenty podcast. I'm your host. My name is DJ Wells. Brought to you by Boost Mobile. You know the vibes get you or your loved one that new iPhone 17 they'll pull up to your crib and handle the rest. Shout out to Hard Rock BET Behen. Now Jay, listen my boy be here be crafting these parlays up. You know what I'm saying? He be going too crazy. Have you had any you know what I'm saying? Fans run down on you yet? People in your DMs talking about you sold on me yet for sure.

[Jeremiah Fears]

I had a couple in person too at the game they be saying courtside like man let me get five more points. I try to fuck that's gonna get me in trouble. Yeah.

[DJ Wells]

Hey man, shout out to Hard Rock bet. Do not get on athletes nerves man. They ain't got nothing to do with them. Bet on your own discretion. But be here in the lanes, man. We gotta put discretion. Tell the people. Leave the fans alone. And the players, man.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Nah. Yeah, man. Especially my man. Let him. Let him cook, man. He already got enough going on out there.

[DJ Wells]

We got a lot to talk about, man. But shout out to Adidas family. We tapped in live. All Star Weekend out here in la. Got my dogs with me to my far left, Bishop B. Head out the pearlies. How you What?

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Cool and nasty.

[Jeremiah Fears]

I ain't got these.

[DJ Wells]

Oh, nasties. Yeah.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

You know I'm the real Adidas athlete up here, baby. First look at the purple was heading us.

[DJ Wells]

Oh, respect. Did J.R. send you those?

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Nah. No, J.R. j.R. Don't fool with us. You know, we are not his team.

[DJ Wells]

All right, my dog, that. Show your team how you.

[Jeremiah Fears]

What?

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Still mad at Junior?

[DJ Wells]

Still mad?

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Nah, that's all I love Adidas family showing love. But we got one of my indie, you know, Indie Heat alone.

[DJ Wells]

Yeah.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Family really, baby. Crash out, what I call him now.

[DJ Wells]

Listen, if you tapped in at 520 tomorrow last year, yeah, I think you know, we was early in the train. Told y' all by one of the ones in the Midwest, man. Chicago's finest, Illinois's finest. Indy Heat alumni, one of the only, Ms. Jeremiah fears. Big Dog, we appreciate you sliding on us, bro.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yes, sir. Appreciate y'. All.

[DJ Wells]

Yes, sir. Indy Heat family, man. Team alumni, man.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

The first time I seen him play, him and Jalen Harrelson, we went to the game, we seen him, we was like, man, he play like Westbrook. He got nothing but energy.

[DJ Wells]

He's flying.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

He flying around the court.

[Jeremiah Fears]

What you number 02 with nd he. I was 11. 11. I was trying to get zero, but they ain't happening.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Yeah, he was flying around the court.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

We was like, yo, Odor was crazy, bro. Cause we was coming to see Jalen. I had never even heard of you. Yeah, I was like, okay. Yeah, Jalen. Yeah, I knew. Favorite for you.

[DJ Wells]

That's the dog I was tapped in. Cause my guy, Coach Avery, you know what I'm saying? My boy, he was like, hey, I got somebody on my roster you need to check out. And he'll never be wrong. Ain't there Shit went wrong this time, boy. You been getting to it for a long time, man.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Facts how you joined that team, Man.

[Jeremiah Fears]

I wasn't trying to play with me, Treesa and mackurvin then. I was trying to go out of state. And I just came from Brad, Bill and Indy. He had reached out, and then me and My dad had did some research. We seen they had some dudes the previous year, so he was like, we'll rock with it. And then my older brother played with them the year before, so ended up switching it up a little bit.

[DJ Wells]

Shout out to the family. Like you said, man, ball is real in the family. What's that like, man? Growing up hooping with the siblings, man, it's crazy.

[Jeremiah Fears]

I think that's where I kind of get the motor and the hunger from playing against my older brother. He was always bigger than me and stronger than me, so he wasn't never taking it easy. Especially if we played them one on ones. He'd be just trying to bang me and post me up the whole time, like, bro, watch out. So once I finally start getting bigger and stronger, I always had the confidence. As I got bigger and stronger, I just took it and ran with it basically. And every time I step on the court, I'm trying to kill my opponent.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Have you beat him in one? One on one?

[Jeremiah Fears]

Always. I beat him now.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

We just lost.

[DJ Wells]

Bro. 25.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Yeah. Bro ain't. Bro ain't going like that, I guess.

[DJ Wells]

I tell you, don't say as a big brother, you know what I'm saying? The one on one basketball, you never lose to your little brother, bro.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Nah, they win at first. Like when you young and you, you small and stuff, they win. But once you get around that, 16, 17, what was it? Yeah, it's over with.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

He was supposed to outplaying you.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah, that's what he should have did, but he never did that.

[DJ Wells]

Oh, man. Like you said, crazy high school career, man. What was it like hooping in high school and then transitioning to college because you had a hell of a junior senior year.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

You went early. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jeremiah Fears]

I mean, it felt really good. I had the confidence obviously from playing up all my life. So once I got to college, it was basically the same thing. They was a little bit older, it was like 26, 25. But other than that, I still had the confidence to go out there and do what I'm capable of doing. And then I feel like I picked the right school for me. Gonna let me go out there and showcase what I was capable of.

[DJ Wells]

Like I said, end up going to Oklahoma for sure. What was that process like? I know you had a couple schools that you was, you know what I'm saying, tapped in with, but obviously ended up in Oklahoma. All worked out. But I know you was a little bit of pressure going through that.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah, it was tough. That was probably one of the Hardest decisions I had to make. Picking a college. Cause you go to the wrong situation, coach might not be rocking with you, you might not be able to show everybody what you're capable of, and you end up getting stuck in college. So definitely picking the right school was big for me. And just narrowing down my options was coaching staff.

[DJ Wells]

Yeah.

[Jeremiah Fears]

On the roster and the conference. I think the SEC was the best fit for my game. My playstyle.

[DJ Wells]

Yeah.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Nah.

[DJ Wells]

You always talk about this Tig. It's a little bit different when you get to college. But you said that summer is really where it's different when he gets out of level. What was it like for you stepping into that spring summer ball?

[Jeremiah Fears]

It was crazy at first. Them dudes were strong. I'm like, man, golly. But then I started hitting that weight room. I started getting stronger, and I was like, all right, I'm good. But like, that first week, I get switched on the beat. He trying to post me up. I'm like, man, this strong. Other than that, I was good after that, though.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

That was your first time touching the weights?

[Jeremiah Fears]

The real weights? Yeah, I was doing pushups and little dumbbells, 30s and stuff. I got to college, I started hitting them 65s and 80s. And then I took my push ups to another level. I started doing even more pull ups, and my body started getting defined. I started getting a lot stronger. Protein shakes, smoothies.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

How much weight you pick up that Sunday?

[Jeremiah Fears]

Like 10, 12 pounds.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Okay.

[Jeremiah Fears]

I was trying, though. But it was a goal I had for myself, too. Getting stronger and getting bigger. So I was willing to do anything to pick up that weight and pick up that muscle.

[DJ Wells]

The summer you came back, it wasn't.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Even that long, boy.

[DJ Wells]

Yeah. That college program, different. How much did you pull when you came back to that?

[Podcast Co-host 1]

I gained 30 pounds.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Yeah, I gave him some juice, though. I said 8 to 12.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

I went from 185 to 185.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah. And then they got you eating four, five times a day. Especially if you smart. They got you eating six.

[DJ Wells]

Damn.

[Jeremiah Fears]

And they watching you. They like, yeah, you gotta eat this. You like, man? Nah.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

What's on the meals?

[Jeremiah Fears]

Everything. Steak, rice. Yeah. In the morning.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Probably should have took a visit.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Nigga.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Eat ribeye.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Everything. They was giving us everything you think of.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

That's hard, though.

[DJ Wells]

What was dope like you said? Oklahoma, prideful school, hella alumni. And you putting on, but, like, the support you was getting, like, as graduates, obviously you had a name. You was good. But, like, gradually, as the season progressed, everybody was like, no, y' all have to watch him. What was that like? Especially with your teammates buying into the system. And it seemed like they let you cook, and then it all worked out.

[Jeremiah Fears]

It was great having them older dudes. Sometimes it be tough. They could be hating. But I feel like I was in a fortunate situation. My teammates, they was happy for me. We was out there doing it together. I mean, I was still. I was still out there kind of playing really good and doing what I could do, but my teammates were still getting off as well. And it was more so like, not everybody looking at it like, Jeremiah doing this, he doing that. But also, your teammates play a big part because they got to be willing to buy in and they got to be happy for you. If they not happy for you, then it's going to be a tough situation. Like, man, he a freshman. We not finna passing the ball, and we not finna be happy if he have a good game. So my teammates definitely played a huge part in that. And they was happy for me whether it was a good game, bad game, and they was talking to me as well. If I did have a bad game, like, you good, bro. You gonna shake back. So I think that went a long way for me and just seeing them have that confidence in me.

[DJ Wells]

Yeah, T, you talk about this now with the portal and everything. The business of basketball is different. So it don't even be quote, unquote, hated time. It's just like, shoot, I'm trying to get paid, too. So now it's like, yeah, it ain't the competition. More than a locker room before you even get on the court.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Yeah, that's a fact. Yeah, I was wanted to ask you. Cause we watched a bunch of your games when you was in school, and we were huge fans. Like, we was like, man, he creative with the ball, he gets to the basket. He can do so much with the basketball. Like, when did you know? You was like, yo, I'm about to leave. Like, did you know you was leaving? Like, you went to school early, but did you know you was like, I'm one and done?

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah, once I got there, I think I still got the text. I texted my dad, like, the second week, I was like, man, I'm going top five. He was like, you think so? I said, I know so.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

But.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Just the work I put in. And then I was seeing it translate in practice. I was doing my thing in practice. And then in the scrimmages, we played like two of the top, top five teams, top three teams in the country, preseason. And I did my thing. I'M like, yeah, I'm going top five.

[DJ Wells]

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@Boostmobile.Com based on average annual single line payment of AT&T Verizon and T Mobile customers compared to 12 months on the Boost Mobile Unlimited plan as of January 2026. For full offer details, visit boostmobile.com payable and bonus bets Not a cash offer offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In Florida, offered by Seminole hard Rock Digital LLC. And states must be 21 and over and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia. To play, terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida, call 1-833-play- wise in Indiana, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9 with it gambling problem, call 1-800- gambler in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

What's that feeling like knowing you about to get like, I'm gonna be a.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Top pick, man, it was crazy. You still gotta go out there and compete, but you gotta have that chip on your shoulder. And you gotta know every time you step on the court, they finna come at you. So I was definitely getting ready every single game. I'm gearing up my headphones, lift before the game, stretching, stuff like that. Cause I knew every time I stepped on the court, especially with the new mock draft and stuff they got going on, everybody be like, all right, he did see about to be top pick. So they was coming at you every night, double teaming, blitzing, denying you the ball. Gotta do what you gotta do though. It was good though.

[DJ Wells]

What's it like playing that rivalry game? Cause I know Oklahoma, and I'm saying, like you said, it's lit.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah, it was crazy. They was talking crazy. It was exciting though. Cause it's like in high school, you don't get that no more. For real. In the NBA, the student sections, yeah, they got posters, they being creative. They might got your mama on the post girlfriend you like, man, watch out. But at the end of the day, it was super exciting. It was adding that Fuel to the fire.

[DJ Wells]

Yeah.

[Jeremiah Fears]

You're like, yeah, so and so. You might have a bad game. They got. Yeah, you had two points versus so and so. You like, all right, bet. And then at the end of the game, you could go over there and you could talk stuff a little bit to the studio section. And then they ain't got no choice but to respect you if you do your thing and you get to win.

[DJ Wells]

I always ask you this. You played, obviously, in the acc. Tough game, especially on the road. What's the environment like, man? Going to the robbery places or going to those big schools and upsetting people?

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Nah, that's the funnest part for the game to me. But like you said, they will be talking about your mama. Anybody in the stands is kind of crazy, but you go in there and you shut them up. That's the most fun for sure.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Any memorable matchups from college that you can remember? Somebody that tried you?

[Jeremiah Fears]

Kentucky. Kentucky and Georgia. We played Georgia the first time. I couldn't have the shot. And then they ended up beating us. And they was.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

They was talking.

[Jeremiah Fears]

The fans was talking wild. The players was talking wild. They was like, yeah, you supposed to be NBA. This. You did this. I'm like, all right, we gonna see y' all again. And then we end up seeing them in the SEC tournament. And I destroyed them and we beat them and put them out. I was talking a little crazy to them after the game.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Who was guarding you?

[Jeremiah Fears]

The little guard from UConn. He there now. He. He got the dress. He was guarding me.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

He got torched.

[DJ Wells]

And he made a transfer that you.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Put him before, though.

[Jeremiah Fears]

It's crazy. It's crazy for sure. And then Kentucky.

[DJ Wells]

Yeah.

[Jeremiah Fears]

We end up having one of the players from Oklahoma transfer over there. He ended up making a game winner on us. He was talking out of his body, too.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Wow.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Played him again. He ended up hitting another game winner.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Oh, how he clown.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Second time was sloopy, though.

[DJ Wells]

No, that's eight. That's hate. I did it twice. You flew.

[Jeremiah Fears]

It was flu. He had ran full court and just threw it up with the left. He was off bounce. Everything we like. No way. He made that. And then it wasn't enough time to get a shot up. It was like 0.7. We like, no way. He just gamed us like that.

[DJ Wells]

I gotta say, field Hill. You get two game winners against the school you left. Yeah. Nah, that's hard. He got his dip back.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah, that was crazy.

[DJ Wells]

Nah, respect to Hill.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah.

[DJ Wells]

All right. Obviously killed in college. What was your draft process like? That summer, going into being a professional, it was crazy.

[Jeremiah Fears]

I probably end up getting in the best shape I've ever been in. They had me working out and running so much that when I worked out, the NBA teams I was in, I was in great shape. And then majority of my workouts was solos. So it was me and then not the video guy, but the assistant coaches. Some teams bring back players that's been in the NBA. So my plan is a former point guard or former wing and stuff like that, playing 3v3s. But it was good for sure. I had some couple matchups. They was trying to get underneath my skin. Cause they seen I was talking a little bit of college. They had some of the people they got you going against talking. And man, the worst is probably Utah.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

What you gotta do out there, man.

[Jeremiah Fears]

The air out there already different. And then they got you the three minute run.

[DJ Wells]

Yeah, that's different for the people who ain't tapped in. Please explain. Explain what a three minute run is.

[Jeremiah Fears]

You gotta run full speed to one end to the other end for three minutes. And they trying to see how much you can get. Basically a conditioning test.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Yeah.

[Jeremiah Fears]

And I mean, you trying to get on the team, you want them to pick you. So you going hard. It ain't no jogging. You going super hard. By the time you get to like 20, your legs and body about ready to give out. As soon as you get done, you just land on the foot, like, ah, it's over.

[DJ Wells]

Is that the end of workout? Cause I'm not about to go with basketball after that.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah, End of the workout. And then you got stuff that got you doing beforehand. Full court, one on ones, one on twos, and you just going for about two hours, just you by yourself.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Breaking.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah. Facts. They was trying to see what you was gonna do, how you was gonna react, but it was super fun.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

How many teams you work out for?

[Jeremiah Fears]

I only worked out for four.

[DJ Wells]

Team told y' all I was going to our final.

[Jeremiah Fears]

I only worked out for four privileged. So it wasn't. Yeah, it wasn't as much as everybody else. That's guy.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

But it was fun. I feel like he threw a shot at me.

[DJ Wells]

How many did you work out for today?

[Podcast Co-host 1]

It don't matter.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Respect the whole 30.

[Commercial Voice]

Breaky.

[DJ Wells]

God.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Laughing too hard. You laugh too hard.

[DJ Wells]

All right, so draft night. Man, what's that feeling like, man? Dreams come true.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

It was fly, too.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah, Appreciate it.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

It was fly.

[DJ Wells]

You came trim for sure. What's that moment like for you and the fam, man?

[Jeremiah Fears]

Man, it was crazy. It was a little bit like, you still know you're gonna be a topic, but it was like your heart was racing. You ain't know who was gonna take you. You just sitting at that table. But it's a little like, for the people that know disrespect, that ain't been drafted or that didn't have the opportunity, like, you kind of knowing it's about to be your turn. Cause they got all the cameras running to your table. So once I seen all the cameras, I was like, oh. And then I just put my head down like I'm about to get drafted. So once I walked up there, put the hat on, took Adam Silverhand. It was like a dream come true.

[DJ Wells]

Yeah.

[Jeremiah Fears]

And then my heart kind of. I started relaxing a little bit. I'm like, all right, you did it. But at the end of the day, I knew I had more work to be done. Summer league was coming up, and then I had a chip on my shoulder, too, from all the people that went in front of me. So every time I played them, I had it marked down for sure. Yeah.

[DJ Wells]

So, yeah, I know you worked out for a couple teams. Was the Pelicans with those team worked out for.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah, they would.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Okay.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah. That's one of the four.

[DJ Wells]

Nah, it'd be some weird situations where you don't work out for a team that draft, you'd be like, I ain't even tap in early. Now you here.

[Jeremiah Fears]

That's crazy.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

That's how it was in Atlanta.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Oh, for real.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

I didn't work out for Atlanta.

[Jeremiah Fears]

You don't know none of the coaches? No. None of the assistants. You don't know the front office. I mean, you probably know a little bit from the combine. You got to meet with a bunch of different teams and talk to them. But, like, you never seen him in person. One thing y' all talked about was college and getting ready for the draft, but you don't know nothing else about them.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

What's been the adjustment, the biggest adjustment from to the pro?

[Jeremiah Fears]

Definitely the speed of the game. Once the game starts slowing down for you, it's going to become a lot more easier. So I feel like that was the biggest adjustment, but I think it's starting to slow down a lot for me, and I'm starting to understand everything. All the coverages, reads, scout reports, everybody. My matchup, my assignments, and what I gotta do to help my team win. All right, man.

[DJ Wells]

And obviously you're a rookie, but what was that moment like? You got that first check, that first direct deposit, man.

[Jeremiah Fears]

That Joint did count. I was. Where was I at? I think I was sitting in the bed. That joint did count. I got up and just started dancing. I was like, dang. Everybody was acting. They like, why are you dancing? I'm like, bro, don't worry about.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Was.

[Jeremiah Fears]

It was cool though, man. I went shopping.

[DJ Wells]

Oh, okay.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah, I went. So I started buying clothes, shoes, some jewelry, A little bit of jewelry.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Okay.

[Jeremiah Fears]

And then I started saving and saving.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Yeah, you gotta trick on yourself a little bit.

[Jeremiah Fears]

It was. It was a good time though. Seeing that junior, I was like, dang.

[DJ Wells]

That first director, positive.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Woo.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Facts.

[DJ Wells]

Hey, man, listen, rookie year progressing so far. Hey, man, you've been making noise out here on the court. What's going on, man? Aren't you okay at home? You a little. Door locking up. Hey, you're out here. Don't say, make the name for yourself, man. Love to see it.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yes, sir.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

He's feisty, bro.

[Jeremiah Fears]

It's crazy. Crash out. You gotta talk a little bit. Yeah, you just too quiet. I'm like, man, we could just keep testing, keep punking them, but being able to talk a little bit. But you can't just be talking. You ain't doing that. So.

[DJ Wells]

That's right.

[Jeremiah Fears]

We gotta back it up a little bit so everybody. Keep showing everybody what you're capable of. And don't be afraid of matchups. You got them every night, so better be ready for it.

[DJ Wells]

Yeah, I was gonna say before we get out here, I was gonna ask. That point guard position in the NBA is one of the most dangerous places west of like night in, night out, you know what I'm saying? You gotta go out there and prove yourself. Go against some hall of Famers or some All Stars.

[Jeremiah Fears]

That's probably the hardest position. I mean, the Wings and the threes and fours could argue. The bigs, not for real, but the threes and fours, they could argue a little bit. But point guard position ain't no joke, man.

[DJ Wells]

You know you about to scream.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

They about to scream the shit out of you.

[DJ Wells]

Of course, man.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Man, every time that point guard is different. Every night you got. You got Curry. Next night you got Maxi. He been hooping.

[DJ Wells]

Yeah, and you in the west too. Yes.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Got Ant, man, you got Shane.

[DJ Wells]

What was that matchup that you got?

[Podcast Co-host 1]

Like, you know, everybody had that first rookie. Not starstruck. Cause we not really starstruck. But you had that moment. You like, damn, I'm about to play against, bro.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Kd. I played him preseason, but he wasn't really trying. He still was cooking us. But once the season came, you played great defense. He might come off a pin down. You're like, all right, I can push him. He's skinny, but he catch that joint. Take that one dribble and rise up. You could test still bottom of the name.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

He don't even see you.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah, you just got run down like, hey, that was good defense.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

What vet then brought you in and kind of gave you the game?

[Jeremiah Fears]

DeAndre Jordan, child.

[DJ Wells]

DJ. DJ.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

I thought you gonna say freaky.

[DJ Wells]

Z Shouts out Shout out to my boy.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Love.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Got you.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah, Z. Z been. He been talking to me a lot. Dejounte Murray. Shout out to Dejounte. Yeah, Loom.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

You've been hanging out with Trey.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yeah, Trey, too.

[DJ Wells]

That's our guy.

[Jeremiah Fears]

They all be. They be just all peeling in, chiming in here and there, talking to us, just trying to get us the best piece of advice they can. Yeah, some of them don't play our position, but they still know what they talking about. For sure, Nathan. Just talking about everything. Learning the refs, understanding the refs you could talk to. Which ones you can't understand. The league system, the situation you in, stuff like that. So. Definitely learned a lot so far. So we got a couple more games to go after break.

[DJ Wells]

Yeah, yeah, listen, gonna work it out. Hell of a rookie campaign, man. Y' all got some young killers we all rock with on the team, man. You bigqueen gang. Trey, Z, listen, we tapped in, man. The Pelicans. Y' all got some talent, man. We're gonna see what y' all do, man.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Yes, sir.

[DJ Wells]

Proud of you, man. Keep killing. You know, we tap in over here at 5, 20. We gotta follow up, man. You know what I'm saying? Let you go play some more basketball. We got a lot to talk about, man, but keep doing your thing, man.

[Jeremiah Fears]

Appreciate it.

[DJ Wells]

When we get outta here, tell the people they can grab some merch, brother.

[Podcast Co-host 2]

Shopclub520.com baby.

[DJ Wells]

One more time for the good people at Adidas, man. Holding us down. All Star weekend in la. We tapped in with the family. You know what I'm saying? Adidas family, head to toe. You tapped in, man. You know the vibes. Boost Mobile. We tapped in. Family. Last but certainly not least, man. Hard rock bet, like we said. Leave the players alone, man. Tap in, do your parlays and don't bother them. We appreciate y'.

[Podcast Co-host 1]

All.

[DJ Wells]

We'll catch y' all next time. Club 5 20, for sure. The volume.

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[DJ Wells]

And the winner of the iHeart Podcast Award is.

[Commercial Voice]

You can decide who takes home the 2026 iHeart Podcast Awards Podcast of the Year by voting at iHeartPodcastAwards.com now through February 22nd. See all the nominees and place your vote at iHeartPodcastAwards dot com Audible is.

[Podcast Announcer]

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