The Athletic / Shamorie / Scouts Evaluate

J

jerseyshorejohnny

Well-known member
SHAMORIE PONDS, ST. JOHN’S

Relevant Measurements: 6-1, 175 pounds. 6-6 wingspan

Relevant Per-Game Stats: 19.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.1 APG, 2.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 46.2 FG%, 34.5 3P%, 84.2 FT%

Relevant Per-40 Stats: 22.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 5.9 APG, 3.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Advanced Numbers: 27.2 PER, 58.3 TS%, 52.6 eFG%, 29.2 AST%, 11.3 DEFREB%, 11.4 TO%, 1.0 BLK%, 4.2 STL%

First Coach
“Seeing him get better the last couple of years has been no surprise, but at the same time, his strengths are his strengths. He plays at his own pace. Really good in ball-screens. He’s never sped up. Tight handle. Can create shots with the screen or without a screen. And his decision-making has gotten better. It was impressive how he can play at his own pace, and keeps defenders on his hip, keeps them off-balance, until he’s able to get a step by you and then raise up and shoot. He keeps you off balance. I wouldn’t call him a speedster or anything like that, but he’s also faster than everyone he’s guarding. But because the handle is tight and he can get you leaning and rocking side to side, he can get anywhere he wants.

“Then you throw in that he can shoot it from 25 now? And even though he’s small, he’s got long arms. He can finish around the basket, and that comes from him playing in high school and playing street-ball type games. He knows how to finish around the rim with different finishes. Inside and outside hand, different spin on the ball, he has a lot of tricks.

He definitely is a guy that can anticipate passing lanes on defense, but I wasn’t thoroughly impressed. But I know he had to expend energy on offense. He definitely sees plays developing, though, and can anticipate well. I wouldn’t call him a ball-hawk.”

Second Coach
“He’s got a chance, I just don’t know. He’s a great scorer. I think he’ll play in the NBA, I just don’t know enough about his DNA to know if he’ll want to be the kind of guy to where he’s not the man. He’s really improved as a decision maker. He’s really, really good.”

Third Coach
“He’s not a lottery pick, but he’s been impressive. Before, he was more volume. Now he’s figuring out how to get other guys involved.”

Fourth Coach
“He’s really good. To be honest with you, I don’t know what the knock is. He has great size, he can shoot. This year, he’s not turning the ball over. His assists are up. He can guard when he wants to. He can score when he wants to. I think he’s an NBA player.”
 
I had see his wingspan listed at 6’2 before. If by some chance the 6’6 number is correct that will help him immensely.
 
Another comment from The ATHLETIC by columnist Dana O'Neil:

We are nearing the end here, though. I think we have a very large sample size to discuss the following: In the year 2018-19, what college basketball teams do you love to watch, and what college basketball teams cause your eyes to bleed?

Dana: I’ll start with the second. St. John’s. When I watched the Red Storm play at Villanova, I literally put my head down on the table for a brief second. I didn’t weep, but I could have. So much talent, so much inconsistency, such an inability to understand how to close out games and win. They just do foolish things — jacking shots they didn’t need while up on Villanova comes to mind — and have little concept of the whole time-and-place idea. Don’t get me wrong. Shamorie Ponds is exactly the sort of player who could get red hot and lift St. John’s into the Sweet 16. But that will not be my bracket pick.
 
[quote="jerseyshorejohnny" post=326077]Another comment from The ATHLETIC by columnist Dana O'Neil:

We are nearing the end here, though. I think we have a very large sample size to discuss the following: In the year 2018-19, what college basketball teams do you love to watch, and what college basketball teams cause your eyes to bleed?

Dana: I’ll start with the second. St. John’s. When I watched the Red Storm play at Villanova, I literally put my head down on the table for a brief second. I didn’t weep, but I could have. So much talent, so much inconsistency, such an inability to understand how to close out games and win. They just do foolish things — jacking shots they didn’t need while up on Villanova comes to mind — and have little concept of the whole time-and-place idea. Don’t get me wrong. Shamorie Ponds is exactly the sort of player who could get red hot and lift St. John’s into the Sweet 16. But that will not be my bracket pick.[/quote]

This is certainly true about the team in tonight's X game.
 
Seems like everyine sees this uneven play but the coaches and players. I just don't get it. So poorly coached and led.
 
If I'm being honest I think he goes down as a very good college player but will be in the G League at best and maybe someone gives him a shot, but don't see him sticking. Very crafty kid, great use of angles, balance, etc. however if he can't shoot around 40% from 3 in college, it's hard to believe he'd make routine NBA 3's. His shooting has really not been good from distance. My biggest concern if I was in an NBA front office would be his mentality. Leaving balls on midcourt to get back at refs, clearly dogging some games, not looking interested all the time, etc. The kid's up until 3 AM on social media before gamedays. Of course I'm still young enough to know that young people will do that, but if I'm playing in the Big East and have a real shot at the NBA, I'm doing nothing but working out, practicing, and getting enough sleep before gameday.
 
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