The variety is what stands out. There have been a pair of 30-point performances. But there was also an eight-point, six-assist game, too.
Through five games, Shamorie Ponds is of course scoring big, averaging 23.2 points per game. But he’s also distributing as well, tallying five assists a night. The junior guard from Brooklyn has only led St. John’s (5-0) in field-goal attempts three times. That was a rare occurrence last season.
“He’s [done] what was needed,” St. John’s coach Chris Mullin said Monday as his team prepared to host Maryland Eastern Shore on Tuesday at Carnesecca Arena (6:30 p.m., FS1). “Maybe you have a blueprint of what you want to do, but the game dictates what you need to do. He has a well-rounded game, where he can do what is needed, and I think he’s done that. It’s good for us and it’s good for him.”
In the Johnnies’ three close games, against Bowling Green, California and VCU, Ponds took over late, refusing to let them lose. But against Rutgers, St. John’s best performance to date, he was content to let others shine while notching six assists.
After leading St. John’s to the Legends Classic title last week at Barclays Center, setting a tournament record with 67 points over two games, Ponds was named Big East Player of the Week on Monday. He also was the Lute Olsen Award National Player of the Week. But those accolades pale in comparison to his goals.
“Just to win, winning is the main key,” he said. “With this team, I feel like we can go pretty far. The further you get and better you play, the better place you can go.”
Despite the 5-0 start and his gaudy numbers, Ponds is far from thrilled with his own play. The conference’s Preseason Player of the Year is only shooting 34 percent from 3-point land and still believes he needs to attack more and settle for fewer jump shots.
“I felt I didn’t do anything yet,” Ponds said. “We got a long season left. I can go up or go down. Definitely not satisfied.”
Mullin likes that attitude. He always preaches to his players to be in the present, not to worry about the future or concern yourself with the past. When told about Ponds’ comments, Mullin smiled and dryly said he should feel that way, because he’s only 20 years old.
“That’s what maturity and growth’s all about — not saying it, doing it, and that’s what happens when you mature,” Mullin said. “It’s one thing for a coach to say it or a parent to say it, but when the [player] actually starts seeing it and doing it, that’s what maturity and experience is all about.”