The difference between an all time list and Ponds is that everyone on the list played in the post season, and played for winning teams. Ponds has yet to achieve either. I have watched over 50 years of Johnnie basketball, and couldn't say for certain where he ranks, because winning has to count for something. This will likely be Ponds' last season. He is having an excellent year, which may end up being outstanding. If this team doesn't make the dance, his overall place in SJU history has to suffer. The greatest final seasons in team history, which may be really a separate topic, would include 4 players since the 70s that Ponds should set as benchmarks are Billy Schaeffer, Mark Jackson, Mullin and Berry. Schaeffer did not have a great supporting cast, and yet the team had a good season and a great run to win the Holiday Festival. Plus he shot over 60% from the field despite facing defenses that knew he was the go to guy. That's amazing. As a senior, Jackson averaged over 6 assists, shot 50% from the field, 42% from 3, and high 70s from the line. He scored 19 a game because he had to, And he played 39.5 minutes a game. As a junior, he averaged 9 assists per game, which he could have as a senior but needed to score more without Berry. We all know what Mullin did. Then there's the greats like Dove and Tony Jackson from the 60s, and Mel Davis from the 70s, and George Johnson, also a great player.
So in fairness, easiest thing to do is rank him against past guards, going back to the 70s. I rank him ahead of Hatten and Barkley, but behind Mark Jackson. Obviously behind Mullin, too. So third best guard since the 70s. So he has that going for him, which is nice.
