The All-Star break has arrived, but for Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, the pause will have to wait just a little longer. The Pelicans' rookie duo is set to suit up in Friday night’s Rising Stars game, a showcase that often serves as a springboard for young talent looking to elevate their game in the second half of the season.
And if you’re the Pelicans, you’re hoping that’s exactly what happens-especially with Fears.
Let’s be clear: Fears has had a solid rookie campaign. He’s averaging 13.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
Those are respectable numbers for a first-year guard still finding his rhythm in the league. But the shooting efficiency hasn’t quite been there yet-he’s hitting just 42.9% from the field and 32.4% from three.
For a player who came into the league known for his scoring instincts, those percentages leave room for growth.
The good news? That growth may already be underway.
Over the final five games before the break, Fears has started to show signs that he’s turning a corner. His outside shot is starting to fall more consistently-he’s knocking down 38.9% of his threes during that stretch-and his overall offensive impact is trending upward.
Take Monday night’s 120-94 win over the Kings. Fears looked confident and assertive, putting up 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 2-of-4 from deep.
He added four rebounds, three assists, and chipped in defensively with two steals and two blocks. It wasn’t just the box score-it was the way he played.
He looked in control, attacking the rim with purpose, picking his spots, and playing with a poise that’s becoming more consistent.
Then came Wednesday’s matchup with the Heat. The efficiency dipped-Fears shot just 33% from the field on 18 attempts-but he still managed to leave his imprint all over the game.
He tallied a career-high 10 rebounds, dished out eight assists, and scored 13 points, flirting with a triple-double. That kind of versatility is what coaches love to see from young guards: when the shot isn’t falling, find another way to contribute.
Put those two performances together, and you start to see a player who’s figuring things out in real time. The numbers over the last five games suggest this isn’t just a hot streak-it could be the beginning of a second-half leap.
We’ve seen this kind of trajectory before. Trae Young, for example, struggled early in his rookie year before flipping the switch after the All-Star break.
His shooting numbers weren’t great in the first half-just 40.6% from the field and 31.2% from deep-but after the break, he surged to nearly 25 points per game with improved efficiency. That post-break run nearly earned him Rookie of the Year honors.
Now, no one’s saying Jeremiah Fears is about to go on a Trae Young-esque tear and challenge Kon Knueppel or Cooper Flagg for Rookie of the Year. But the signs are there. The confidence, the improved shooting, the all-around contributions-they all point to a player who could take a meaningful step forward down the stretch.
And for a Pelicans team that doesn’t own its first-round pick in the upcoming draft, that kind of development matters. A second-half surge from Fears wouldn’t just be a nice story-it would be a critical boost for a franchise looking to build from within.
The Rising Stars game may be a one-night event, but for Jeremiah Fears, it could be the launchpad for something bigger.