From Brooklyn high school hero to international basketball professional
In short: Shamorie Ponds has navigated the volatile landscape of professional basketball. After a standout college career at St. John's, he experienced the highs of an NBA debut and the challenges of being waived, eventually finding success in leagues across the globe, from Mexico to China.
Born on June 29, 1998, Shamorie Ponds emerged as a premier talent in New York City basketball. During his time at Brooklyn's Thomas Jefferson High School, he guided his squad to a New York City championship in 2016, their first since 1954. His talent showed early; he was a four-star recruit ranked 37th overall and the 9th top point guard within the 2016 high school class.
Ponds' collegiate career at St. John's under coach Chris Mullin was marked by rapid ascent. As a freshman, he earned a spot on the conference all-freshman team, averaging 17.4 points and 3.3 assists. By his sophomore year, he had become a national name through upset victories over top-ranked teams like Duke and Villanova. He also set a Carnesecca Arena record by scoring 44 points against the Marquette Golden Eagles, earning the Haggerty Award as the top player in the New York City metro area.
His professional journey has been a testament to resilience. After going undrafted in 2019, he moved between the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors, making his NBA debut against the New York Knicks on November 27, 2019. Following stints in the NBA G League and the Bosnian League, Ponds has found significant success internationally. After winning the CIBACOPA league title as Finals MVP with the Astros de Jalisco in 2023, he recently played in Mongolia and China.
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