Ponds

Since Ponds was on the 1st All BE Team, and is the only player returning from that team, could he be pre-season BE Player of the Year? And then wouldn't Heron be another contender for BE pre-season Player of the Year? That's too unreal to think about, so I'll assume neither plays for SJU next year. At least we'll know about Ponds within 24 hours.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=286376][quote="Rob" post=286371]Most people close to the program, etc, apparently still think Ponds will come back when he has to make the final call. Of course the kid wants to go pro - which of these kids doesn't - but his Dad believes one more year is in his best interest. No one has a crystal ball with these things, which is why you aren't hearing outright guarantees, but the tea leaves still show him returning and I don't think the Herron situation has anything to do with it one way or the other.[/quote]

Could be true but just have a hard time believing a player of MH's caliber would come here to share the ball. Both Ponds and Heron want to put up big numbers to get drafted...why would they split time and stats? I'd be astonished if Ponds stayed and Heron got a waiver to play for us next year.[/quote]

Well Mike you’re probably right that both won’t play for us, but what if it is your turns to be colored ‘astonished’?!?
This is stunning buzz. Who the heck knows how it’ll play out.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=286376][quote="Rob" post=286371]Most people close to the program, etc, apparently still think Ponds will come back when he has to make the final call. Of course the kid wants to go pro - which of these kids doesn't - but his Dad believes one more year is in his best interest. No one has a crystal ball with these things, which is why you aren't hearing outright guarantees, but the tea leaves still show him returning and I don't think the Herron situation has anything to do with it one way or the other.[/quote]

Could be true but just have a hard time believing a player of MH's caliber would come here to share the ball. Both Ponds and Heron want to put up big numbers to get drafted...why would they split time and stats? I'd be astonished if Ponds stayed and Heron got a waiver to play for us next year.[/quote]

Don't have to put up big numbers to get drafted. NBA scouts look well beyond the stat sheet.
 
[quote="Red2395" post=286393]Getting to play in March and playing well in the NCAA will get you drafted.[/quote]

Yep, just look at Nova.
 
Now, I do not know who DeAnte' Mitchell is, but per DeAnte': Looks like Shamorie Ponds will go to the wire on his draft decision. According to a scout, his evaluations are improving & likely will stay in the draft
 
One man’s opinion and some mid afternoon indigestion:

DeAnte' Mitchell
@MitchellDeAnte
Looks like Shamorie Ponds will go to the wire on his draft decision. According to a scout, his evaluations are improving & likely will stay in the draft #sjubb
 
Ugh.... well if he does go I really hope he is drafted in the second round at a minimum... I haven't seen him mentioned in any second round mock up drafts, and if the second round isn't a 100% guarantee then I wouldn't understand him leaving.
 
[quote="Adam" post=286425]Ugh.... well if he does go I really hope he is drafted in the second round at a minimum... I haven't seen him mentioned in any secondd round mock up drafts, and if the second round isn't a 100% guarantee then I wouldn't understand him leaving.[

It’s his decision to make, and whatever he decides I wish him well.
 
Ponds is a fan favorite. Hope he stays. But , if he doesn’t, hopefully it will work out for him in the NBA. If he leaves and by some miracle Heron comes and is eligible this year, it would be a wash and really take the sting out of a Ponds departure.
 
Agreed. Though the tweet doesn't make much sense; how could his evaluations be "improving" when the consensus all along is that he is likely not even drafted.
 
Things like having both those guys playing at st johns next season just don't happen in this universe. More likely we need to get lucky to have just one.
 
[quote="Rob" post=286428]Agreed. Though the tweet doesn't make much sense; how could his evaluations be "improving" when the consensus all along is that he is likely not even drafted.[/quote]

Yeah agree, doesn’t mesh with what we’ve heard.
But this is the kid’s dream—so you never know.
I just hope he makes the best decision for him.
All of us have made bad decisions—and the bottom line is we had to ‘live’ with those decisions.
But this is an especially tough decision for a 19 year old kid to make—weighing his dream now versus the reality ahead if he stays in draft and is not drafted.
Just wishing him well.
If he goes, I hope he succeeds big time.
 
[quote="Amaseinyourface" post=286430]Things like having both those guys playing at st johns next season just don't happen in this universe. More likely we need to get lucky to have just one.[/quote]

Yeah, but who knows?
Maybe this is the beginning of a galactic star re-alignment for St. John’s.
Here’s hoping.
 
I don’t think it is much of a difference to get drafted late second round or to be guaranteed a spot on a G league team. Either way you are not going to make much but some might prefer that life over college. I would have preferred to remain in college but I also might have chosen a school with great weather. Everyone has there priorities and as many have said it’s a free country. I truly believe that Shamorie will see the court as an NBA player either way. It might only be a seven day contract but that is still an amazing accomplishment.
 
If you look at Ponds' posts himself, he is definitely leaving. Everyone else saying he's likely staying is speculating. Ponds doesn't strike me as the type of kid to delay gratification. I don't mean that in any malicious way at all, just going off what I've seen i.e. posts, comments, pictures, etc. Villanova seems to find the players that are fine with delaying it a bit. We have not found such players even going back to Lavin. They get even a whiff of going pro and they need to have it immediately for better or for worse. If he's gone (which I'd bet money on) then the Heron commitment goes from being a luxury putting us over the top to a must if we want to make the tourney next year. If Ponds leaves and Heron doesn't come or can't play next year, we are in big trouble.
 
[quote="Rob" post=286428]Agreed. Though the tweet doesn't make much sense; how could his evaluations be "improving" when the consensus all along is that he is likely not even drafted.[/quote]

He's probably improving by process of elimination. Every time someone pulls out of the draft, a name is eliminated from the boards, so somebody's draft stock somewhere has to go up.
 
[quote="Mike Zaun" post=286438]If you look at Ponds' posts himself, he is definitely leaving. Everyone else saying he's likely staying is speculating. Ponds doesn't strike me as the type of kid to delay gratification. I don't mean that in any malicious way at all, just going off what I've seen i.e. posts, comments, pictures, etc. Villanova seems to find the players that are fine with delaying it a bit. We have not found such players even going back to Lavin. They get even a whiff of going pro and they need to have it immediately for better or for worse. If he's gone (which I'd bet money on) then the Heron commitment goes from being a luxury putting us over the top to a must if we want to make the tourney next year. If Ponds leaves and Heron doesn't come or can't play next year, we are in big trouble.[/quote]


A sobering, but good post. That said, I wish him well regardless and truly hope you’re wrong Mike!
 
Speculation is all this Board has to offer right now . I guess its cool to think Ponds does this or Ponds does that . From a Basketball Perspective , the NBA Scouts are saying he isn’t ready . For a 19 or 20 Year old to go against what the Pros are telling him will not result in a good outcome for Shamorie . Too many kids have made these irrevocable decesions and it hasnt panned out well for them . Ponds could have a Monster year , improve his weaknesses and showcase his splendid talent . The difficult reality for Shamorie to deal with is , he is 6’1” tops and maybe 180 . He has a smallish frame that is not likely to benefit from bulking up or adding weight . That is a fact . What can turn the Scouts around is a big year for him here . He has the game to make a lot of defenders look foolish and has proven it , against some of the best players in the Country . Big or small . Listen to your Pops, Shamorie and show them next Year what you can do ! Don’t take the crumbs of the G League or , Europe. You are better than that . And , you can add to a already hefty legacy here at St John’s .
 
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