Michigan State junior guard Jeremy Fears Jr. has been crowned the 2026‑27 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Preseason Player of the Year, according to a select media panel announced Monday. The award highlights Fears’ historic senior‑year performance, where he became the only player nationwide to average at least 15 points and 9 assists per game.
Record‑setting season
Last season, Fears posted a team‑high 15.2 points per game while leading the nation with 9.4 assists. He also ranked second nationally with 328 total assists, setting a new Michigan State single‑season record. In the NCAA Tournament, Fears shattered the Spartans’ single‑game assist mark with 16 assists in a 77‑69 second‑round victory over Louisville, surpassing the previous record of 14 set by Earvin Johnson in 1978.
All‑America honors and consistency
Fears collected five All‑America honors after scoring in double figures in 28 of 35 games. He led the Spartans in scoring 13 times, recorded nine games with at least 20 points, and posted one 30‑point effort. He also handed out at least 10 assists in 15 games and logged 11 double‑doubles in points and assists, underscoring his dual threat as a scorer and playmaker.
Preseason All‑Big Ten team
The media panel also released a 10‑member Preseason All‑Big Ten roster. Nine of the conference’s 18 schools are represented, with Fears and Nebraska senior Pryce Sandfort earning unanimous selections. The full lineup includes:
- David Mirkovic, Illinois
- Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois
- Pharrell Payne, Maryland
- Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
- Trey McKenney, Michigan
- John Mobley Jr., Ohio State
- Trent Perry, UCLA
- Rodney Rice, USC
- Nolan Winter, Wisconsin
All caps denote the unanimous picks—Fears and Sandfort.
Coaches’ recognition
Big Ten coaches also honored Fears and Sandfort with All‑Big Ten First Team designations after the 2025‑26 season. Illinois’ Mirkovic received an honorable mention and a spot on the All‑Freshman Team. Fears earned First Team honors from the media, while Sandfort secured Second Team recognition. Cadeau, Mirkovic, and Mobley each received honorable mention from the media.
What this means for Michigan State
Fears’ preseason accolades set high expectations for the Spartans as they head into the 2026‑27 campaign. His proven ability to generate scoring opportunities and his record‑breaking assist numbers suggest that Michigan State will remain a competitive force in the Big Ten and a contender for national tournament bids.
Looking ahead
The full Preseason All‑Big Ten roster will be displayed on the conference’s official website, providing fans and analysts a snapshot of the talent poised to shape the upcoming season. With Fears at the helm, Michigan State supporters have a clear leader to rally behind as the Spartans aim to build on their recent successes.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
