:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49839215/Shamorie_Ponds_140.0.0.jpg)
St. John’s signee Shamorie Ponds, the 6’0” guard from Brooklyn expected to help lift the Johnnies’ fortunes, was named to the training camp roster for the June 14-18 player camp.
The camp includes 26 players - and now coach Chris Mack of Xavier, who was added to the training camp’s coaching staff for training camp.
There will be a second training camp in July (11-15), and the full 12-member squad will be named before the FIBA Americas U-18 Championship in Chile in late July.
Included on the training camp list are some of the best players from 206 and 2017, including Ponds, elite NYC-are players Mohamed Bamba and Hamidou Diallo, along with top-25 players Terrance Ferguson (who is skipping college for professional opportunities, possibly in Australia, current rumor is with the Adelaide 36ers), Jarrett Allen, Trae Young, M.J. Walker, Michael Porter and more.
Ponds, ranked 32 by Rivals, 45 by 247 Sports, 48 by ESPN and 51 by Scout has a steep climb to make the traveling roster in Chile, which will be coached by Shaka Smart with assistance from Kevin Ollie and Mark Turgeon.
Whether he makes the roster or not, Ponds has a chance to compete and drill with the best for a portion of his summer, before he hits St. John’s for summer school.