Michigan State junior guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) drives down the court during the Michigan State vs. Incarnate Word men's basketball exhibition game at Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich., on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Michigan State men's basketball junior guard Jeremy Fears Jr. was named the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year Monday in a vote of the league's media.
It's his second preseason honor after Blue Ribbon named him its National Player of the Year on Sept. 22.
Fears is the first Spartan to earn the honor since Cassius Winston ahead of the 2019-20 season. The Joliet, Illinois, native was also a unanimous selection to the 10-member Preseason All-Big Ten Team, alongside Nebraska guard Pryce Sandfort.
Last season, Fears averaged 15.2 points and led both the Big Ten and the nation with 9.4 assists per game, making him the only player in the country to average at least 15 points and nine assists. The performance earned him a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team from both the coaches and the media.
The Spartans play the second of three exhibitions at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 against UConn at Breslin Center, a rematch of last season's Sweet 16 game.
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