On Wednesday night, June 25, Glenn Taylor Jr. took to Instagram, sharing a photo with OU freshman sensation Jeremiah Fears, celebrating his draft pick with an emotional 13-word reaction. Fears was selected No. 7 overall by the New Orleans Pelicans, giving pride to his Oklahoma basketball roots.
Glenn Taylor Jr. Celebrates His Buddy Jeremiah Fears’ Draft Pick On Instagram
After getting the news of Fears getting selected, Taylor posted a story on Instagram with a picture of him and Fear dabbing each other and attached the caption, “So proud of you lil brother shiiii you got me feeling a way.”
Fears, a 6-foot-4, 18-year-old, was reclassified from the 2025 high school class to join OU early in 2024. Fears led Oklahoma with 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game across 34 games.
Jeremiah Fears is selected 7th overall by the @PelicansNBA in the 2025 #NBADraft presented by State Farm!
Watch on ABC & ESPN. pic.twitter.com/RJGTfd5vuf
— NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2025
His 43/28/85 shooting splits, including 6.1 free-throw attempts per game, showcased his ability to attack the basket and create plays. Named to the 2024-25 SEC All-Freshman Team and a four-time SEC Freshman of the Week, Fears also earned a spot on the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List and a gold medal with USA Basketball at the 2024 FIBA U-18 AmeriCup.
Fears’ impact extended beyond stats. His late-season growth, particularly in cutting down turnovers (from 3.4 per game overall), fueled Oklahoma’s NCAA Tournament return after a four-year drought under coach Porter Moser.
Wearing a crimson Gucci suit at the Barclays Center, Fears stood on the podium after the announcement of his selection, becoming the newest legend of OU. Fears’ selection at No. 7 marks him as the ninth Sooner to go in the top 10 in program history and the fourth in the last 20 years, joining Blake Griffin, Buddy Hield, and Trae Young.
He’s the first OU player drafted since Young went No. 5 in 2018 and the first of the Moser era. Hailing from Chicago and later starring at Arizona Compass Prep, Fears was a four-star recruit and a top guard in the 2025 ESPN 100. Initially committed to Illinois, he chose Oklahoma, becoming the program’s biggest recruit since Young. His one-and-done season mirrored Young’s.
Taylor’s heartfelt Instagram post reflects the pride Fears inspired in Norman. As the first top-10 pick of Moser’s tenure, Fears carries the Sooners’ banner into the NBA. His journey from reclassified freshman to lottery pick is a testament to his hard work. In New Orleans, Fears has a chance to build on OU’s legacy, proving that Oklahoma basketball is once again a force on the national stage.
