Jeremiah Fears de-commits from Illinois and will reclassify into 2024 class

[@abesfadeaway]

They had received indication from Fears' camp that Jeremiah was going to reclass to 2024. Underwood thought he needed another year development and wanted him to be a 2025 recruit. Illinois also would have to had to make playing time promise and NIL commitment for this coming year. They've known this for a little while, hence why they've been in an all out pursuit for Jasper Johnson

[@snapon29]

Makes perfect sense now

[@UR_Right24]

Well, that kind of clears it up. Thanks for the info. I had no idea BU knew Fears was going to reclassify. Anyway, wish him well. ILL will still be a very good team without him.

[@historyagogo1135]

How are you going to be good enough to be a one and done and get drafted but not good enough to rise to the top of Illinois’ depth chart??? The only way these young guys are ever going to be good enough they have to be willing to compete.

[@josephbentonjr5338]

100%, plus he really needs to get a body by Fletch before he heads to the league....

[@brianoestreich1319]

Underwood isn’t waiting for anyone. He knows how it goes. There is almost zero loyalty anymore by these high school kids. Also, I believe this has everything to do with JF wanting to play this year a lot and it would be tough at Illinois. Should anyone be shocked at this type of news. Time to move on.

[@calebdamery1455]

Lifelong illini fan. Anytime you lose a recruit it hurts. I agree with Greg wholeheartedly on this. Something was fishy. The reclass is a bad idea and the only way I'm not upset by this news is if we get JJ. The only way Fears being recruited over makes any sense was if Illinois believes Kj is 1 and done and Boswell is a wash out. Great content as always gentlemen.

[@randysallade9468]

Lot of guard talent already there. The way Illinois is recruiting they don’t need to worry about this!

[@mitchbrewer2411]

Carter why you in a high school computer lab...?

[@snapon29]

Moral of the story: Don't fall in love with any prospective recruit...even if they have committed to the program. Until they set foot on campus the summer of their freshman season, don't assume they will come...even if they committed to coming. I think far too many of us invest so much time into these high school recruits not realizing that they can change their minds at any time

[@jonhillery7736]

In Kanon Catchings' case, it's not even safe if they've come for the summer already!

[@RonnieElam-e5i]

Don't count on them till ready to show up before game time

[@snapon29]

@@jonhillery7736 Haha, true. But, I don't think he had practiced with the team yet, right?

[@UR_Right24]

And they can always just leave mid season like Clark did.

[@lhcmknrb]

You should’ve stopped after the first sentence. They can leave after three seasons, three months, three days.

[@useryoutube3804]

Welcome to Kentucky!

[@BarnyTabby]

Fully expected alarmist trolling turned to 11 and instead got a great video. Way to go guys.

[@BarnyTabby]

Illinois wanted him as a 25, but it wasn't ride or die. They were still recruiting guys that would potentially step on his toes. Thoroughly unsurprising even had he remained a 25. Inevitable as a 24. They don't have the minutes this year and he isn't physically ready. Hitching your wagon to a recruit like Fears and then hoping he ends up at Illinois is a Groce/Weber move. Brad knows better than to stand still. Fears didn't bail on Illinois for someone else, he felt crowded out.

[@Wetrockstah2116]

BBN!!! Fears and Jasper and darryn Peterson will be Kentuckys backcourt next year. 💯💯💯 Its happening fellas

[@champsnike]

We are rolling on the recruiting front.....next guy will be super highly rated. Wish the kid well, and looking forward to Orlando Antigua returning from Istanbul with another stud.

[@justlogan6979]

Big whoop as an Illini fan

[@DaveMcElroy-bm2bq]

This is about the reclass. Illinois doesn’t make sense for him playing this year.

[@jeffreyfightingillini]

Money on Kentucky

[@BurnerBall]

I’d push back on this not being at all similar to the Catchings Purdue situation. I think it’s very similar. Catchings committed to Purdue very early. He committed prior to the 2022-23 season. Purdue wasn’t even expected to be good that season. I think Kanon committed thinking he could come to Purdue and be “the guy.” Purdue didn’t recruit over Kanon and bring in a bunch of 5 star guys, but they did have guys develop that I think have earned significant playing time in this coming season and Catchings worried that would impact his playing time (which it likely would have).

[@UR_Right24]

How could Underwood possibly know that a guy would decomitt based on him not being happy with what his role or playing time would likely be this year in 2024, when he didn't even know the guy was reclassifying and thought he was still set to come here in 2025? Had BU known that Fears wanted to do that 2 or 3 months ago, maybe he would not have gone after some of the guys that he did for this upcoming season, and maybe he would have left a scholarship open for Fears to come this year. But, there is still one scholarship left, isn't there? IDK. But, this shit is getting so ridiculous and there needs to be a reining in from the NCAA of this wild wild west college basketball landscape, with some rules, regulations, and structure. How can a coach promise a recruit in highschool that he will or will not get X amount of playing time when he's got no idea who he will lose every offseason to the transfer portal, or to the NBA, or to the G league, or to wherever? He likely reassured Fears, or at least I would hope he reassured Fears, that there would be a significant role and minutes for him in 2025 based on the likelihood of guys leaving for the NBA or what have you at the end of the '24/'25 season. Fears obviously decided he just wants to start getting paid now and is looking at IL maybe having no scholarship left to give or no more money to spend on him for this season and is deciding he then has to decommit. He should just stay in school another year and come to IL in 2025 as planned. With any luck after one year of him playing somewhere else this upcoming season, and with him also likely entering his name into the NBA draft in 2025, but that not going as planned, and they deem him not ready, he then pulls his name out of the draft, and he then decides to stay in school, where he'll then transfer to IL and be here for the 2025/'26 season anyway. And isn't he only 17 now? So, would he even be able to enter the NBA draft next summer? He'll only be 18. Don't you have to be 19 to enter the draft? So I don't understand his push to reclassify. He can't get to the NBA any quicker than he would be able to if he just entered college next year. So, it must just be money he's after. They'll soon be paying committed recruits still in highschool, to try and keep them from decomitting. Every player needs to sign a contract as far as I'm concerned, whether they are a highschool recruit commit or a transfer. Shit is getting out of control.

[@dchunter100]

If he wanted to be a 1 and done he wouldn’t be re-classing, and the reclass is the main reason he’s decommiting. Sounds like he or his parents have always wanted to reclassify.

[@Jeff-jn9wu]

Let's be honest, there is talent, so if you are not a competitor, you skip town.

[@aarongreenhalgh4280]

BYU is sitting at 12 and still has one open scholarship. They have a junior point guard in Dallin Hall and a freshman 4 star Elijah Crawford. They have other guys that can run point guard if needed. I dont think that is a BYU need.

[@stacyehmen8530]

Fears must know where he is going....and there is a spot now.

[@lexwaldez]

that's the ONLY explanation that makes any sense, right??

[@docHOLLAday53]

Illini took Riley as a reclass (5-STAR RILEY). They told Fears to wait. Fears Sr. wasn’t happy. He knew if he reclassed, he wasn’t going to play more than about 10 min. a game at Illinois this season. And Kasparas is fine w/distributed. Boswell & KJ aren’t worried at all about Jasper Johnson or anyone else who might in. KJ really, REALLY isn’t. OU promised him he could have the keys to the offense from day 1. The end.

[@johnnystivers6788]

I’m pretty sure any coach/team wrote take them both play Jasper at the 2 I mean come on. Orlando came from Kentucky who brought in 3 CG/PG last year

[@dennisgriffin6742]

That had nothing to do with him de-committing. Fears wants to reclassify to this year, JJ is a 2025 recruit.

[@aaronweeks1347]

Listen to Derek Piper’s radio show today. He paints a picture of what happened.

[@stacyehmen8530]

Thanks!

[@123bcastle]

I said it when they signed Riley

[@marklynn3994]

It's all about the reclass, this has been hanging over this commitment from the beginning. His dad has been putting out feelers for some time. Illinois has been consistent telling him they want him to get stronger and come in 2025. They didn't want to do that so the two sides went their separate ways. Watch for a team out east.

[@lexwaldez]

I'd rather have Fears than not have him, but if someone decommits and doesn't want to come because the competition is too good it's hard to feel super bad about it. The reclassify thing is a head scratcher. Kind of seems like he didn't want to put in work. I hope Fears doesn't regret this and I wish him the best of luck.

[@colejames423]

Mr. Gregory got it right saying there’s no right answer here, and that it’s just the reality of college ball now. I don’t know how you could possibly shade Illinois about it. Yeah, Fears is promising and a kid you have to hate to lose. But! Underwood has seen his teams decimated by the portal, and bypassing opportunities for good players NOW to keep fickle teenagers in the fold is dumb. These kids have no loyalty (and that’s not a knock), especially in the era of NIL. If Fears wants to reclassify at the very last second, whatever. If I’m an Illini fan, I’d be sad, but relatively unconcerned. Underwood can recruit. Antigua can recruit. They got the best pieces they felt they could in place right now. And hell, maybe the pitch to Johnson just got easier.

[@hola19079]

Not mad he’s leaving just more confused why he’s reclassifying right now. Like if he just played next year then he would most likely get playing time but that could also mean brad is looking at other recruits which is something he’s good at as you said.

[@PamelaSueWelsh]

Screw Fears. His goals are lol whatever and GODBLESS him. HOWEVER HE IS NOT, NOT A NBA PLAYER. PERIOD! He’s not that great. Illinois will land 2 5 star players in the next 2 weeks. Jasper and one more. Just spoke to Tai Streets. Watch what Illinois is doing. I’m CHRIS ROACH, WATCH WHAT I SAY.

[@Roblaurel8]

I think he was just at Michigan st with his brother

[@dennisgriffin6742]

Louisville

[@jjmckay6man1]

@@dennisgriffin6742 yes but he was at michigan state as well. he said in these guys interview he and Jeremy and some other spartans played some.

[@jjmckay6man1]

yes but I don't believe we have any roster spots or scholarships available this season.

[@dylantroyer9842]

Adam miller was supposed to be a 1 and done too. Skyy Clark was too. Lol Fears is not a 1 and done especially now with the reclass.

[@gregoryhelton2408]

Fears is a really really talented baller...but I don't think he is a 1 and done though...he needs to develop his game a lil more and put more weight.

[@hdhxhebdh]

He need come to big blue wildcats 😊. Yall took will reily from us 🤬 lol so we need this kid so we can have a team. Lets go cats BBN ... 💪😺💙🤍🏀🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Growinggolfing]

He’s going to Michigan State.

[@jjmckay6man1]

I don't think we have any scholarships available this season or roster spots.

[@jeffreyfightingillini]

Who cares kids are kids they expect way to much coming in.

[@calebknost9760]

He’ll look like Khristian Lander early on then join Gottlieb after a year

[@drewcassis503]

Yes

[@aaronweeks1347]

This is an old school type of idea. Why doesn’t Fears and Illinois agree that he would reclass, but then redshirt? If I am Fears I know I am not physically ready to have a big role this upcoming season and need to get stronger to become a true NBA. Work with Fletch for a year. Practice against these college players and put them in hell in practice. Fear can see how his role for next year progresses and gives the staff confidence building the team around him. Compete everyday. If Fears doesn’t like how things look next April then hit the portal with full eligibility and a year working with Fletch under his belt. Illinois has one open ride they could use for this. Seems like it would be in the best interest of everyone.

[@checkitout7111]

Every year is a new deal with the tranfer portal. There are no two year plans.

[@DavidJackson-nw4jc]

Indiana

[@Blahman899]

Perfect Recruiting Strategy: Big time 5th yr players Big time 4-1/2 Star Freshman 6"4 talented point guards Shooters

[@leonjj39]

Underwood will not be hostage again to any family desires over the program. There are too many wounds already. Hope the best for Fears ,but many examples to take heed.

[@johnnystivers6788]

I don’t think this has anything to do with Jasper or the team Fears thinks he can play this year but he knows Illinois isn’t in play this year, idk where he’s going to go this year for some reason I think Cal might want him playing Boogie at the 2 hand him back up DJ at PG or go to Michigan state idk where he’s going to go

[@PamelaSueWelsh]

Fears is widely WIDELY OVERATED. SEEN HIM PLAY SINCE CHILD. ALSO JASPER IS SIGNING AT ILLINOIS ALONG WITH ANOTHER 5 within 2 weeks. Done deal.

[@johnnystivers6788]

@@PamelaSueWelsh lol he’s definitely not signing with Illinois. And if he was it wouldn’t be in 2 weeks and there’s no way you would know before Andy or anyone at ON3 or 247 sports, there’s no crystal balls there’s not even a decision date actually he’s In the process of scheduling 2 official visits to Kentucky and Alabama or UNC

[@johnnystivers6788]

@@PamelaSueWelsh this is so ridiculous, you learn all this from your moms laptop

[@calvinjohnson9715]

Where the money is!

[@johnnystivers6788]

@@PamelaSueWelsh and just so you know Illinois might lose recruits from Illinois or Michigan or any big 10 school, Kentucky doesn’t lose in state kids they want before Cal during Cal or after Cal, if Jasper doesn’t go to Kentucky it’s UNC maybe Illinois but it’s only because Orlando also Illinois doesn’t get 2 five stars in the same class your lucky to get 2 4 stars

[@Charlesthetraveler]

You don’t blow up this year to wait for a guard for next year. Illini fans know this very well.

[@Pensées_depuis_mon_balcon]

What about Jeremiah Scared, Jeremiah Frightened, Jeremiah Fearful, or Jeremiah Fears-Competition? But seriously, I wish the young man good luck wherever he goes, but we dodged a bullet with this one. It is a good lesson to learn early in life that you have to earn your place, not expect it to be given to you.

[@BurnerBall]

I was waiting for Greg to make the Michigan pitch

[@jordyncohen7778]

WILDDDDDDDCCCCCAAAATTT

[@PatchesOhoulihan159]

Lmao northwestern?

[@tchemmer]

off to BYU💲

[@PatchesOhoulihan159]

Mormon county is full of evilness and ince st😅

[@theoptimist9605]

BYU gets whatever they want…I don’t think BYU wants him!

[@PatchesOhoulihan159]

@@theoptimist9605 BYU sucks

[@theoptimist9605]

@@PatchesOhoulihan159 They were my favorite team to watch last year…because of their amazing offense. Best wishes

[@PatchesOhoulihan159]

@@theoptimist9605 Illinois had a much better offense and team

[@mgers75]

Nothing impacts CBB less than these late reclassifying players. In this era with guys sticking around CBB till theyre 23 it just hard for 17/18 year old freshman who miss all/most of summer workouts

[@Gee2deDubya]

Unless I'm mistaken, there's no more scholarships for this year's team, after Riley's commit. If so, it wouldn't matter whether Fears wanted to join the team or not, at least at this late point in time. Maybe the staff and Fears had already had this discussion before, but let's be honest, are you filling the last spot this year with Riley, or Fears? Imo, Riley fills a much bigger need this year; if Underwood wants to win now, his size, tools and overall potential are way too hard to turn down.

[@mitchbrewer2411]

19:17 admissions Gregory

[@kaynewren2381]

BYU needs a big player.

[@ba47501]

Kristian Lander reclassified and he wasn't ready.

[@drewcassis503]

Yes the next Kristian lander.

[@bob129744]

As an Illinois fan does this suck - yes. Does it give us any reason to panic - no. Look back a few months and everyone, including these two, were saying we should be nervous about Illinois because of who left. They will find another guard who fits the team. I wish Jeremiah the best of luck but I take this as a win win for both the school and the player. The player gets what they want and the team has a year to pivot to another guard.

[@myronkronz4483]

Go to IU that would be great

[@shopdoc]

No IU has all the guards they need. No need to confuse the situation there. They should be good.......Rice is a stud.

[@Aj1183]

Michigan State will probably get him.

[@ulamog]

Jeremiah clearly wanted a major role in this year’s squad and that’s why he’s reclassifying. There’s no way that was gonna happen. You guys are just hating

[@mecreature123]

can he make it into Michigan academic wise?

[@jakobemathias]

Be serious. It’s not northwestern we’re talking about.

[@mecreature123]

TSJ and Love both had problems. Just Curious.

[@rontimberlake1401]

Kentucky bound

[@LegacyDrummer]

Underwood and Antigua don't retreat, they reload

[@nateernstberger2248]

tennessee

[@Roblaurel8]

Michigan State????

[@johnnystivers6788]

Oh god this dudes going to BYU

[@jasonraak4577]

This is one of the rare and most uninformed takes from Sleepers ever.

[@PamelaSueWelsh]

Bottom line. I played at Illinois, was a 5 star. Kids are NOT ENTITLED! Period, LISTEN PLEASE. FEARS IS NOT ALL THAT! He is NOT all that. Not that damn good. Illinois has way way better options at guard. And this class is special. And there about to not only get Jasper there is also another one coming soon. Watch. And check me if I’m copping. Chris Roach.

[@samjones1801]

Who is this?

[@JCOolx]

i’m a die hard illinois fan but i know there’s no way we get jasper johnson

[@PamelaSueWelsh]

@@JCOolx we’re getting Jasper. Watch man. We are getting Jasper. And that’s not it. 100%.

[@JCOolx]

@@PamelaSueWelsh believe me i hope we do! just him being from lexington and kentucky being a hard recruiter.. idk it just doesn’t sit right with me

[@aaronweeks1347]

This happens all the time at big boy schools. Every time this happens at Illinois, it’s Illinois staff’s fault, but if its Duke instead of Illinois the staff would be getting props for over recruiting to get a better player. Illinois staff has never ever been able to win, dammed if they do, dammed if they don’t. I am not with the portion of the fanbase that drinks the orange kool aid. At the same time, to win a national title which is the ultimate goal, you need 8 guys as good as Fears or better at basketball to play together. Villanova had multiple point guards on the floor all the time during their national title runs. The Illini team many love the most had multiple point guards on the floor at once. Teams that are all about a guy being featured normally don’t win it all. This is about winning and not about making sure a guy is one and done. If Fears main priority is that, goodbye because I don’t give a shit about that as a fan. To win you need to find great players willing to sacrifice for the good of the team.

[@mitchbrewer2411]

He's too small Kylan has played 2 yrs og high major ball.. he's not ready

[@cwag07]

Illinois fans were doing victory laps when Catchings decommitted love that they are melting about this one

[@Aj1183]

I wanted Catchings at Purdue as Illini fan!

[@dennisgriffin6742]

Where is the melting? I don’t see it in these comments. We IL fans took a master class in getting hopes up then burned at the alter with the Eric Gordan fiasco years ago.

[@gregoryhelton2408]

Lol who's melting?! Well just get another 5*!! Lol 😂 Catchings wasn't on Fears level any ways you clown.

[@mikelike4584]

Why not Louisville back up chucky and run the show year 2

[@Cooliewhistles]

Sounds like kid is money hungry and way over his skis on his current ability

[@SchaunSmith]

I think pope is gonna snatch him to KY

[@shawnboutersebouterseurban387]

What does it mean to reclassifying? Sorry don't follow too much

[@shawnboutersebouterseurban387]

Looked it up thanks

[@acealexander3121]

Why was Illinois recruiting a top ten prospect in the country?

[@wakeup1679]

🤔 I've seen some really dumb ass comments and questions but this one might take the cake😂..

[@acealexander3121]

@@wakeup1679 are you talking about Greg’s comment or my sarcastic comment?

[@wakeup1679]

@@acealexander3121 I just figured you were a fan of one of the teams from Indiana and that was a dead serious comment..🤣

[@Jeff-jn9wu]

Why? What you mean?

[@timm3735]

I call bs on the idea that kids get pissed when you recruit other good players at same or similar position. If you want to play on a top team, that's just the reality. If you want to have the ball all the time and suck as a team, go to northwestern, or Penn state or some other non contender. You should want to play on a stacked team and have confidence you can earn playing time if you are a top player. My guess is he decided he wanted to reclassify and Tha toretty much rules out illinois. He woukd have been a great fit next year but not this year.

[@Max_Beard]

Any Illini fans shading Fears after the decommit are coping. Really liked the kid and wanted him here.

[@PatchesOhoulihan159]

When and where have any illini fans shaded him???? It's a reason this comment got no likes😂

[@danzemacabre8899]

If the cupboard was bare and this was the only big name recruit coming in ,I think the reaction would be more dramatic, so disappointing, yes, end of the world ? No

[@JCOolx]

i would’ve loved to have him here but we’ve had this issue with skyy clark and jayden epps where they are in it for personal gain. if that’s what fears is like i’m perfectly fine with him leaving

[@JoshuaBridgeman]

Our teams so deep this isn't a make or break deal. Good riddance though. Maturity is needed on a team like this.

[@scottfrench6128]

Not as good as current roster. Needs to get stronger to compete.

[@VegasSportsGaming]

DGL better than Fears

[@Shortyd17]

Yall are gonna have a stroke if he commits to Kentucky lmao

[@randyrowland6744]

Wow. Whats the deal, kid cant handle a little inner competition? Or, something more personal, I wonder? Hope he gets where he's comfortable and gets happy.

[@AlexanderOwen-dc5id]

Jeremiah isn’t a 5 star. ESPN recruit rankings are trash lol

[@seanmylet2374]

Cope Illini fans

[@blessd24]

Doesn't bother me.

[@acealexander3121]

I think most Illini fans took this as good news honestly

[@wakeup1679]

Cope?? 😂 A top 20 player in the nation is decommitting cuz he's worried about playing time . Yeah I think that's a good problem to have.

[@PatchesOhoulihan159]

Lmao it's nice to know we got haters😅

[@JCOolx]

i’d much rather take will riley over fears

[@brandonsnyder7624]

Jasper

[@PamelaSueWelsh]

Fears is WIDELY overated. Way undersized. Parents are ruining this kid. They think he’s top point guard in country. lol. Crazy things you hear.