By Madhu Mayer
For his prowess on the basketball court, Jeremy Fears Jr. was presented with a coveted McDonald’s All-American Games jersey.
The senior at Joliet West High School, who plays point guard, received the prestigious jersey Feb. 11 from McDonald’s USA and the regional chapter of the Black McDonald’s Operations Association. The Joliet native has signed with Michigan State University where he will play college basketball for the Spartans. He is considered the highest ranked high school basketball player in the state and the top 20 in the country.
“Jeremy Fears is a standout player whose talent rose above hundreds of nominees across the nation to become one of the top 48 up-and-coming basketball superstars named by the McDonald’s All-American Games selection committee,” said a McDonald’s USA spokesperson.
The McDonald’s All-American Games jersey has been given to a number of future basketball superstars, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Isaiah Thomas, Candace Parker, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant.
Fears is the only player from Illinois to make the McDonald’s All-American Games national roster in 2023. The McDonald’s All-American Boys Game will be played March 28 in Houston, Texas.
McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Games feature the top 24 boys and 24 girls from high schools throughout the country. The selection committee is comprised of basketball experts from across the country who review prospect’s fundamental talents and athleticisms in the committee’s efforts to identify the top 48. Criteria such as the player’s prowess on the hardwood; high school career; player accolades; and being academically eligible are taken into consideration.
Fears said his shooting game has improved over the years.
“Definitely the shooting,” he said. “I am shooting with confidence.”
The young man who transferred back to Joliet West for his senior year from Indiana said he committed to the Spartans basketball program because of the coaching staff, led by Tom Izzo.
“It is like a family, and I want to have a great freshman experience,” he added.
Last summer, Fears played for Team USA in the FIBA U17 World Cup in Spain and led the Americans to the gold medal, scoring 17 points in the championship game against the host country. His brother, Jeremiah, is a sophomore guard at Joliet West.
