The New Orleans Pelicans are sending not one, but two rookies to the national stage at this year’s Castrol Rising Stars showcase during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. Guard Jeremiah Fears and center Derik Queen have both earned selections to the event, continuing a strong tradition for the franchise - this marks the seventh consecutive year the Pelicans will be represented in the Rising Stars Game.
Let’s start with Fears, who’s been as steady as they come for the Pelicans this season. The former Oklahoma standout was taken with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 draft and has quickly carved out a major role in the rotation.
He’s the only player on the roster to suit up in all 48 games so far, starting 44 of them - a testament to both his durability and the trust he’s earned from the coaching staff. Fears is averaging 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, offering a balanced mix of scoring and playmaking.
His season-high came in a tough November loss to the Thunder, where he poured in 24 points and showed flashes of the offensive upside that made him a top-10 pick.
Then there’s Derik Queen - a name Pelicans fans had circled even before the draft after the team made a splashy move to trade up from the 23rd pick to grab him at No. 13.
The Maryland product has been a revelation. He’s played in 47 games and is putting up 12.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per contest.
Those last two numbers? They lead the team.
For a rookie center to be pacing the squad in both boards and dimes says a lot about Queen’s versatility and feel for the game. He’s already notched two triple-doubles this season, including a monster 33-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist performance against the Spurs in December - a game that turned heads across the league even in a losing effort.
The Rising Stars event itself is getting a bit of a twist this year. Set for February 13, it’ll feature a four-team mini-tournament format.
The 21 NBA players selected - including Fears and Queen - will be drafted into three teams on Tuesday. The fourth squad will be made up of G-League standouts.
Coaching duties are in the hands of some familiar legends: Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady will each lead a team, while Austin Rivers, a 2012 draft pick of the then-New Orleans Hornets, will coach the G-League group.
This year’s rookie class is stacked with talent, and Fears and Queen will be sharing the spotlight with names like Cedric Coward (Grizzlies), Egor Demin (Nets), VJ Edgecombe (76ers), Cooper Flagg (Mavericks), Dylan Harper (Spurs), Tre Johnson (Wizards), Kon Knueppel (Hornets), and Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors). It’s a group loaded with potential, and the Rising Stars showcase is shaping up to be a must-watch for fans eager to see the future of the league on full display.
For the Pelicans, having two rookies earn this kind of recognition is more than just a nod to their individual talent - it’s a sign that the franchise is developing young players who can contribute right away. Fears and Queen aren’t just part of the future in New Orleans; they’re already making an impact in the present.