Jeremy Fears Jr. Injury: Basketball Star Avoids Doctor After Scary Fall

March 22, 2026 Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor Health

Michigan State University guard Jeremy Fears Jr. Is recovering after surgery stemming from a shooting in his hometown of Joliet, Illinois, on Saturday, December 23, 2023. The freshman, a former highly-regarded recruit, was struck in the leg during the incident, according to his father, Jeremy Fears Sr., who spoke with IlliniGuys.com.

The shooting occurred at a gathering of approximately 20 to 25 friends at Fears’ home during the holiday break. According to his father, the front door was left unlocked as attendees moved between the house and their vehicles. A masked individual entered the residence and began firing a weapon, striking Fears and a young woman in the stomach. Fears Sr. Credited his son with immediately applying pressure to the woman’s wound while awaiting medical assistance.

Doctors anticipate Fears will miss approximately three months of playing time, according to his father and reporting by IlliniGuys.com. The bullet narrowly missed a major artery in Fears’ leg, a fortunate outcome according to medical professionals. Fears had recently returned to Joliet for the holidays after beginning his freshman year with the Spartans.

Prior to the shooting, Fears had been working to establish himself as a key player for Tom Izzo’s team. A report from CNN published March 19, 2026, detailed an incident during practice in October 2024, where Fears was involved in a physical altercation with teammate Jase Richardson following a crossover move. Izzo responded by temporarily dismissing Fears from practice, leading to a subsequent conversation where the coach and player discussed the incident. The CNN report highlighted Fears’ maturity and potential as a playmaker, noting he was considered the “nation’s best playmaker” and “the motor that revs the Spartans’ engine” as of March 2026.

Fears’ recovery coincides with Michigan State’s preparation for its 28th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The team’s success in the tournament may hinge on Fears’ ability to return to form, according to the CNN report. Dr. Lorenzo Guess, the Spartans’ director of athletic performance and athletic trainer Nick have been working with Fears during his recovery, according to the same CNN report.

Jeffrey Fears, M.D., practices internal medicine at Lake Regional Clinic – Lake Ozark in Missouri, according to Lake Regional Health System. It is currently unclear if the two Fears are related.