Basketball star Jeremy Fears Jr. from Michigan was released from the hospital on Sunday after being shot in the leg in his hometown.
The freshman guard suffered the gunshot wound on Saturday in Joliet, Illinois. But Fear's dad revealed the 18-year-old was home in time for Christmas.
'Jr is doing very well. Fired and went home. #blessed,” Jeremy Fears Sr posted on X.
The social media post also included images of Fears walking gingerly with the help of nurses and crutches – with both legs in stirrups.
The clips showed Fears practicing walking and climbing stairs with the help of crutches. “Beautiful work,” he was told after he had slowly climbed down the improvised step.
Basketball star Jeremy Fears Jr. from the state of Michigan was released from the hospital on Sunday
The freshman guard suffered a gunshot wound while at home in Illinois over the holidays
The freshman's freedom of movement remains severely limited after he underwent surgery to treat the gunshot wound.
According to a statement from local police, an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were at a home in Joliet, Illinois, when a man – armed with a handgun – “entered the home through the front door and began shooting.” …the suspect then fled from the home.'
Authorities responded to a call at 3:44 a.m. and found a woman with a gunshot wound to the pelvis and an 18-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his left thigh. They didn't mention Fears by name.
According to reports, police are still investigating the incident, but no suspect or motive has been identified.
On Saturday, after the attack, Fears posted a selfie on Instagram with the caption: “Minor setback, we went well, appreciate you all (sic).”
The 6-foot-4 Joliet native has played 12 games for the Spartans this season, averaging 3.5 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 15.3 minutes on the court per game.
Fears posted a selfie on Instagram and called the gunshot wound a “minor setback”
Fears (right) is averaging 3.5 points, 3.3 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 0.8 steals over 12 games