Photo by Kelly Kline/Under Armour
Chris Mullin officially signed the first player of his 2016-17 recruiting class as guard Shamorie Ponds inked a National Letter of Intent to play basketball for St. John’s University next season.
The 6-foot-1, southpaw from Brooklyn, N.Y., is a consensus four-star prospect, who ranks No. 41 on the ESPN 100 list and No. 42 by Rivals for the Class of 2016.
“We are thrilled to welcome Shamorie to St. John’s University and our basketball family,” said Mullin. “His commitment to St. John’s has set the tone for the future of our program as we strive to keep New York’s top talent home.”
Ponds entered his senior year at Thomas Jefferson High School rated the No. 3 player in New York State and No. 12 nationally for his position.
“Shamorie strengthens our foundation as we continue to build the program from the ground up,” Mullin added. “He’s a crafty guard with a tremendous work ethic. Shamorie will fit well into our system.”
The local product averaged 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists as a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School playing for head coach Lawrence Pollard. He helped guide Jefferson to the PSAL Class AA City League semifinals last season, registering 24 points, six rebounds and four assists per game in five playoff games.
Ponds climbed more than 50 spots on the 2016 Rivals 150 after outstanding play in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit, averaging 16.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 steals in 22 games with the New York Lightning.
He competed in the 2015 Under Armour Elite 24, which showcased 24 of the nation’s top players for the class of 2016 and 2017. Previously at the Adidas Uprising All-American Camp, Ponds scored 22 points in the Uprising Showcase game in front of the home crowd at Rucker Park.
Ponds is the highest-rated local player to choose St. John’s since current Portland Trailblazers forward Maurice Harkless committed in August 2011.
