Braden Frager crossed a line earlier this January, targeting Jeremy Fears, and fortunately, he recognized his mistake immediately.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ redshirt freshman made a shooting gesture toward Michigan State’s player after draining a clutch three in the Cornhuskers’ 58-56 thrilling win.
He then hit the sentiment of the college basketball community by making a bizarre social media post. Following the immense backlash, he had to delete that post, and things are under control, as Frager said sorry to Fears.
Braden Frager Apologizes Directly to Jeremy Fears After Controversial Shooting Gesture
The situation escalated when Frager taunted Fears by making a shooting gesture with 9:32 left in the game. The gesture referenced Fears’ real-life shooting, in which he was hit in the upper thigh near Joliet on December 24, 2023.
Officials immediately hit him with a technical foul on the spot. But Frager doubled down the next day, posting the moment on his Instagram handle, penning, “Fear none.”
His bizarre celebration and subsequent social media post led to endless negative chatter across college hoops. Things escalated so much that he had to delete his taunting post and reached out directly to apologize.
Husker Online reporter Robin Washut wrote on X, “Nebraska’s Braden Frager made a social media post today regarding his celebration directed at Jeremy Fears Jr. that was called for a technical vs. Michigan St.”
Nebraska’s Braden Frager made a social media post today regarding his celebration directed at Jeremy Fears Jr. that was called for a technical vs. Michigan St.
He has since deleted the post, and I’m told Frager reached out to Fears directly to express remorse and talk it out.
— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) January 4, 2026
He added, “He has since deleted the post, and I’m told Frager reached out to Fears directly to express remorse and talk it out.”
Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg addressed the incident after the game, calling it a “teachable moment.” The veteran coach emphasized that Frager understood his mistake but praised how he handled himself afterward.
Jeremy Fears Jr. Bounces Back Strong After Recent Tough Loss
Michigan State put on a blockbuster show against the Northwestern Wildcats recently, and thanks to Fears, who was a flop in the first half but put on a blast performance in the second half.
Fears ran into early foul trouble in Michigan State’s 76–66 win over Northwestern on Thursday and then picked up his second foul just 15 minutes into the game.
“He was pissed, for sure,” said teammate Carson Cooper, who scored a career-high 18 points. Not only for Fears but also for the entire team, the first half was a nightmare, as the Spartans remained scoreless for over five minutes before the end of the first half.
The junior guard exploded in the second half, scoring all 15 points after halftime. He attacked the rim relentlessly and hit clutch shots down the stretch. Head coach Tom Izzo praised his guard for keeping his composure after the frustrating first half, saying he snatched stolen lunch from opponents.
