Shamorie Ponds to return to St. John’s for junior year

Good news for Chris Mullin’s fourth year at St. John’s — Shamorie Ponds will withdraw his name from the NBA Draft and return to St. John’s for his junior year.

Ponds, who electrified courts in February with high-octane scoring outbursts, will attempt to show more consistency and playmaking skill on a roster that should be more talented — or at least have more attacking offensive options — than last year’s squad.

Ponds, a Brooklyn native, was a first-team All Big East selection and is likely to be next year’s preseason Big East Player of the Year. He is the only returning member of the all-league first team and one of two players returning from the first or second teams (Marcus Howard is the only returning player from the second team).

The Red Storm will have a different look as they work to earn a winning record for the first time in Chris Mullins fourth year.

Transfers Sedee Keita and Mikey Dixon add new dimensions to the team. Incoming sophomore LJ Figueroa will add scoring, and incoming freshmen Greg Williams, Jr. will add to Bryan Trimble, Jr.’s two-way play. Freshman forwards Marcellus Earlington and Josh Roberts will provide minutes inside, though the team, lacking experienced forwards, will need both to produce.

Rumors are that star wing Mustapha Heron is transferring from Auburn, is interested in coming to St. John’s, and may have a case for being immediately eligible.