Shamorie Ponds earns Big East Freshman of the Week award

If you are looking for silver linings after yesterday afternoon’s 74-73 loss to the Long Island U Blackbirds, Shamorie Ponds has been named the Big East’s Freshman of the Week.

From St. John’s:

The rookie from Brooklyn averaged 23.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per outing last week for the Johnnies, while shooting 53.2 percent (25-of-47) from the floor and 53.8 percent (14-of-26) from three-point range.

In the absence of Marcus LoVett, who is recovering from an ankle injury, Ponds has been an excellent combo guard, combining pace and poise with the ability to penetrate, pass - and of course, score.

Ponds hit career highs in scoring on Monday against Cal State Northridge (25 points) and again against Fordham (26 points), and led St. John’s in scoring in each of the three games. Ponds added 18 in the loss to LIU.

St. John’s went 2-1 last week, however, highlighting that more development needs to be done and that Marcus LoVett’s talents are needed on the floor.

Villanova guard Josh Hart earned Player of the Week honors. The Big East Honor Roll also included Seton Hall’s Angel Delgado, Providence forward Rodney Bullock, Xavier wing Trevon Bluiett, Georgetown guard LJ Peak and Creighton point guard Maurice Watson, Jr.

St. John’s is off until next Sunday morning, where Penn State comes to Madison Square Garden for the Holiday Festival.