The New Orleans Pelicans have endured a challenging start to the 2025–26 season, but one thing has stood out amid the early adversity: their rookies are refusing to flinch.

Veteran forward Herb Jones said the competitive spirit of the team’s young players — particularly lottery picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen — has injected much-needed energy into the locker room.

“Their competitive nature,” Jones told RG.org . “There’s never a day that goes by that we don’t compete. Whenever we do, those guys show up and don’t back down from anything. You gotta love that.”

That attitude has been reflected in the rookies’ play. Both Fears and Queen have quickly found their footing in head coach Willie Green’s rotation, helping the Pelicans remain competitive while dealing with injuries to key

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