Shamorie Ponds
Shamorie Ponds | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 29, 1998 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Known for | Basketball player for Erdenet Miners |
Shamorie Saequan Ponds (born June 29, 1998) is an American professional basketball athlete currently playing for the Erdenet Miners in The League. He competed collegiately for the St. John's Red Storm.
High school career
During his high school years, Ponds represented Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, New York, where he led the team to secure its first New York City championship since 1954 in 2016. He committed to play for the nearby St. John's program under coach Chris Mullin.
Regarded as a four-star prospect, Ponds was ranked 37th nationally and ninth among point guards in the class of 2016.
College career
In his freshman season, Ponds distinguished himself in the Big East Conference, averaging 17.4 points and 3.3 assists per game as the starting point guard for St. John's, which earned him a place on the conference's all-freshman squad.
During his sophomore year, he rose to prominence as one of the Big East's elite players, gaining widespread attention with key performances in upset victories over fourth-ranked Duke and top-ranked Villanova. He also set a scoring record at Carnesecca Arena by putting up 44 points against the Marquette Golden Eagles. His achievements earned him first-team All-Big East honors and the prestigious Haggerty Award, recognizing him as the premier college player in the New York City metropolitan area.
Following his sophomore campaign, Ponds declared for the 2018 NBA draft but did not hire an agent, ultimately opting to return to St. John's for his junior year. As a junior, he posted averages of 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.6 steals across 35.1 minutes per game. He declared for the NBA draft after completing that season.
Toronto Raptors (2019–2020)
Despite going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Ponds joined the Houston Rockets for the 2019 NBA Summer League and training camp. Although his contract was briefly converted into a two-way agreement, it was soon rescinded. The Rockets waived him on October 19, 2019.
Shortly after, on October 23, 2019, Ponds signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors, dividing his time between the Raptors and their NBA G League affiliate, the Raptors 905. He made his NBA debut on November 27, 2019, scoring four points against the New York Knicks, and later achieved a personal best of five points on December 31 versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors released him on January 15, 2020.
Spars (2021)
On February 23, 2021, Ponds signed with Bosnian club Spars for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.
Delaware Blue Coats (2021–2022)
Ponds was selected first overall by the Delaware Blue Coats during the 2021 NBA G League draft.
Astros de Jalisco (2023)
In 2023, Ponds led the Astros de Jalisco to capture the CIBACOPA championship and earned Finals MVP honors.
Erdenet Miners (2024–present)
In December 2024, Ponds entered into a contract with the Erdenet Miners, a team competing in The League.
Personal life
Ponds is the son of Shawn Ponds and Lamell Brightwell. He has three siblings: two brothers named Shawn and Shamell, and a sister named Shaniaya.
Regular season
|- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Toronto | 4 || 0 || 2.8 || .600 || .500 || 1.000 || .3 || .5 || .0 || .3 || 2.3 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career | 4 || 0 || 2.8 || .600 || .500 || 1.000 || .3 || .5 || .0 || .3 || 2.3
College
|- | style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17 | style="text-align:left;"| St. John's | 33 || 33 || 33.6 || .439 || .375 || .823 || 4.4 || 3.1 || 2.1 || .2 || 17.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18 | style="text-align:left;"| St. John's | 30 || 30 || 37.0 || .420 || .253 || .857 || 5.0 || 4.7 || 2.3 || .1 || 21.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19 | style="text-align:left;"| St. John's | 33 || 33 || 35.1 || .454 || .353 || .836 || 4.1 || 5.1 || 2.6 || .3 || 19.7 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career | 96 || 96 || 35.2 || .437 || .328 || .840 || 4.5 || 4.3 || 2.3 || .2 || 19.5