Michigan State basketball freshman Jeremy Fears shot in leg in hometown, has surgery

Michigan State basketball’s Jeremy Fears was shot in the leg early Saturday morning and had surgery, the university said.

The shooting happened near the freshman point guard's hometown of Joliet, Illinois. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.

“Jeremy underwent surgery this morning and is resting comfortably," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said in a statement. "While there is much we still don’t know, my focus is supporting Jeremy on his road to recovery.”

A message with the Joliet Police Department was not immediately returned. The department issued a statement to its Facebook page about a shooting that occurred at 3:44 a.m. Saturday at a residence in the 300 block of St. Jude Avenue in Joliet. According to 1340 AM (WJOL in Crest Hill, Illinois), Fears was one of the two people shot at the home in the Marycrest subdivision on the west side of Joliet.

"Upon arrival, Officers located a 19-year-old female who had sustained a gunshot wound to the pelvis and an 18-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the left thigh," Joliet Police wrote. "A preliminary investigation of this shooting determined that both victims were inside the residence with others at which time it is believed that a male suspect armed with a handgun entered the residence through the front door and began firing inside the residence, striking both victims. The suspect then ran from the residence."

The two shooting victims were transported to Ascension St. Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department in stable condition, according to police. Neither victim's injuries were considered to be life-threatening.

"Officers conducted an extensive canvass of the area but were unable to locate the shooting suspect," police wrote. "At this time, the motive and intended target of the shooting are unknown and still under investigation."

Fears, on his Instagram story, posted a picture of him in a gown lying in what appears to be a hospital bed.

"Minor setback," he wrote, "we gone be good appreciate yall."

Fears had a career-high 10 assists in the Spartans’ 99-55 win over Stony Brook on Thursday, after which the players dispersed for Christmas break. The 6-foot-2, 190 former five-star recruit has played in all 12 of Michigan State’s games this season, averaging 3.5 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds.