It appears Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is confident his top player will be returning for another season despite entering the NBA Draft.
Michigan State All-American point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. is considering jumping to the NBA after declaring for the draft last month, but Izzo remains confident he’ll be back for another season in the green-and-white. Izzo recently spoke with local radio and TV personality Tim Staudt about the possibility of Fears leaving early for the NBA, and he said he still expects him back next year.
Fears had a breakout season in 2025-26, finishing the season averaging 15.2 points and 9.4 assists per game. He was the most important player on the Spartans’ roster and helped lead Michigan State to a second straight Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Fears has been invited to the NBA Combine this week and will have the opportunity to increase his draft stock. But it appears he is still most likely to return for another season considering he’s mocked as a second round pick at best.
Click on the embedded social media post to read more on Izzo’s recent comments on Fears below:
Tom Izzo told Tim Staudt today that he still expects Jeremy Fears to return to Michigan State after declaring for the NBA Draft as an underclassmen.
Story: https://t.co/9lxkBg0YtR
— Paul Konyndyk (@Pkonyndyk) May 8, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Izzo provides update on Jeremy Fears Jr., likeliness of staying in NBA Draft