Jeremiah Fears Drops 40 — Youngest Guard in NBA History to Do It

Jeremiah Fears went off for 40 points on 17-of-29 shooting as the Pelicans crushed the Jazz 156-137 in their home finale. He added six assists, five rebounds, and three steals for good measure.

At 19 years old, Fears became the youngest guard in NBA history to score 40 points in a game, and the first Pelicans rookie ever to reach that mark. Only Cooper Flagg (earlier this season) and LeBron James were younger when they hit 40 — and neither of them were guards. He also became just the eighth teenager in NBA history with a 40-point game.

Over the last 10 years, the only other rookies to drop 40 with at least five assists and five rebounds are Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, and Cooper Flagg. Fears is in rare company. The Pelicans' future looks a lot less bleak than their record suggests.