Ponds says he’s known Gophers assistant Kimani Young “basically my whole life.”
Shamorie Ponds, a 6-foot-1, 160-pound guard in the Class of 2016 from Brooklyn (NY) Thomas Jefferson, is considered one of the top backcourt players in the country. Ponds helped lead the New York Lightning to a 9-8 mark in the Nike EYBL and a spot in the Peach Jam this July. The team finished 3-2 in Minnesota last weekend.
Ponds finished the four sessions of the EYBL as the circuit’s 13th leading scorer, averaging 17.1 points per game. Ironically, Ponds scored in double figures in his first 13 games, but failed to reach double digits in his last four contests. He scored more than 20 points seven times, including a streak of five consecutive games.
Ponds shot 41.4% from the field, 72.6% from the free throw line and 28.2% from three-point range. He also averaged 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.8 steals per game.
Ponds averaged 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists per game for Jefferson, leading them to the PSAL Class AA City League semifinals. The Orange Wave finished 18-5 this past season. Ponds had a triple-double against biggest rival Lincoln as he had 35 points, 10 steals and 10 assists in a 98-86 win.
Gopher Hole caught up with Ponds at the recent EYBL event held in Maple Grove to learn the latest on his recruitment.
Gopher Hole: What is the latest on your college recruitment right now?
Shamorie Ponds: Minnesota, Xavier, St. John’s, Temple, Fordham, Oklahoma and DePaul.
Gopher Hole: How many offers are you up to right now? Are you still able to keep track?
Shamorie Ponds: I think that I have 11 or 12.
Gopher Hole: What others schools are you hearing from besides the schools that have offered you?
Shamorie Ponds: That is pretty much it.
Gopher Hole: A big weekend for you as you move onto the Peach Jam. Where else are you playing this summer?
Shamorie Ponds: I don’t know our plans for the summer.
Gopher Hole: Are you going to any college or individual camps this summer?
Shamorie Ponds: Probably, St. John’s.
Gopher Hole: You are still aways from picking a school, but what are going to be the main things that are going to make you pick School A over School B or C?
Shamorie Ponds: Who is going to make me be a better person, better player and get me to the next level?
Gopher Hole: Have you been to Minnesota before this?
Shamorie Ponds: No.
Gopher Hole: What are you hearing from the Gophers? What are they saying to you?
Shamorie Ponds: They just like me. I have known Coach Kimani Young for my whole life, basically. That is about it.
Gopher Hole: What do see your strengths as a guard?
Shamorie Ponds: I can score off of the ball. I don’t need the ball in my hands to score, I can get my teammates involved. Rebound. Defense. Stuff like that.
Gopher Hole: What things are you working to improve yourself not only for your senior year, but also to play college basketball?
Shamorie Ponds: Get stronger. Faster. Get ready for the next level.
Gopher Hole: Do you have a favorite school yet or is it still too early?
Shamorie Ponds: Too early.
Gopher Hole: Do you know what schools you are definitely going to try to visit yet?
Shamorie Ponds: Minnesota.