Jeremiah Fears Drops 40 — Sets Pelicans Rookie Scoring Record

Jeremiah Fears just announced himself. The No. 7 overall pick torched the Jazz for 40 points on 17-for-29 shooting, setting a Pelicans franchise rookie scoring record in a 156-137 win that snapped an eight-game losing streak. The previous record? 37 points by Marcus Thornton back in 2010.

The Pelicans broke franchise records left and right: most points in a game (156), most points in a half (95), most points in the paint (90). Jordan Poole added 34 points including 22 in a third quarter where New Orleans hung 50 on Utah. All of this without Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, and Saddiq Bey.

Fears has been the one bright spot in a brutal Pelicans season. At just 19, he's showing the kind of fearless shot-making and competitive fire that makes you think New Orleans' rebuild might actually have a cornerstone. When he's dropping 40 in his rookie year, the future in the Big Easy suddenly doesn't look so bleak.