3/29/2019 basketball Edit

Ponds decides to enter NBA draft

Marley Paul • RedStormReport

Staff Writer

The Shamorie Ponds era is officially over at St. John’s. The junior guard announced Thursday evening via social media he will enter the 2019 NBA Draft and sign with an agent, foregoing his final season of eligibility.

Ponds tested the draft process without an agent last year before withdrawing and returning to St. John’s. In his final season, he averaged 19.7 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds to lead St. John’s to its first NCAA Tournament since 2015 with a 21-13 (8-10 Big East) record.

The 6-foot-1 lefty is currently projected as a second-round draft pick by most draft analysts. Ponds was uninvited to the NBA Combine last year and has seen his draft stock dip as his productivity and efficiency slipped in recent weeks.

“Playing for St. John’s has been nothing less than amazing for me,” Ponds wrote on Instagram. “To Red Storm Nation, I thank y’all each & every night for giving me the confidence to be myself and accept me for who I am thru my highs & lows. To my brothers, we been thru hell & back but this season was a success even though we ain’t get the outcome we wanted.

“I appreciate my dawgs for picking me up when I was down and challenging me each and every night to be the best me. … To the coaching staff, all 3 years y’all brung out something new in me, I’ve matured over the years, y’all helped me become a better person on and off the court. I thank y’all for that. With that being said, coming to St John’s was one of the best decisions of my life.”

The Brooklyn native remains the highest-rated recruit to sign with St. John’s under coach Chris Mullin over the last four years. Mullin has labeled Ponds as one of the program’s all-time best, based off his statistics.

After three seasons, Ponds leaves St. John’s among the leaders in several categories, including No. 5 all-time in career points (1,870), and accolades. The two-time All-Big East First Team selection was voted preseason player of the year and received consideration for freshman of the year during the early part of his time on campus.