Shamorie Ponds named to All-Big East First Team

Per a press release, junior guard Shamorie Ponds has been named to the 2018-19 All-Big East First Team. This is the second straight season Ponds has received this honor. He is the only repeat from the first team of last year. As a freshman, he was also named to the Big East All-Freshman Team.

Ponds is averaging just about 20 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds per contest. Although his scoring is slightly down from last season, he has tallied more assists than each of his last two seasons in Queens. Furthermore, his three-point shooting is much improved. Last season Ponds only shot 25% from deep. This year he has shot 35% from the perimeter, on about 6 attempts per contest.

Simply put, Ponds has solidified himself as one of the best guards in not only the conference, but the entire country. He has played himself onto NBA Draft boards. Should Ponds choose to forgo his senior season, he will likely be drafted. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic has Ponds getting drafted with the 31st pick.

The Brooklyn product is joined on the first team by Jessie Govan, Markus Howard, Myles Powell, Phil Booth, and Eric Paschall.

No other St. John’s player was recognized by the conference. However, the league will announce on Monday individual awards such as Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man Award and Sportsmanship Award.

Below you will find the full list of accolades put out by the conference.

ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM

Jessie Govan, Georgetown, C, Sr., 6-10, 255, Queens Village, N.Y.

*Markus Howard, Marquette, G, Jr., 5-11, 175, Chandler, Ariz.

Shamorie Ponds, St. John’s, G, Jr., 6-1, 180, Brooklyn, N.Y.

*Myles Powell, Seton Hall, G, Jr., 6-2, 195, Trenton, N.J.

*Phil Booth, Villanova, G, Sr., 6-3, 194, Baltimore, Md.

*Eric Paschall, Villanova, F, Sr., 6-8, 255, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.

ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM

Kamar Baldwin, Butler, G, Jr., 6-1, 195, Winder, Ga.

Max Strus, DePaul, G, Sr., 6-6, 215, Hickory Hills, Ill.

Sam Hauser, Marquette, G-F, Jr., 6-8, 225, Stevens Point, Wis.

Alpha Diallo, Providence, G, Jr., 6-7, 213, New York, N.Y.

Naji Marshall, Xavier, F, So., 6-7, 222, Atlantic City, N.J.

BIG EAST HONORABLE MENTION

Ty-Shon Alexander, Creighton, G, So., 6-4, 195, Charlotte, N.C.

Martin Krampelj, Creighton, F, Jr., 6-9, 235, Grosuplje, Slovenia

BIG EAST ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

*Marcus Zegarowski, Creighton, G, 6-2, 180, Hamilton, Mass.

*James Akinjo, Georgetown, G, 6-0, 180, Oakland, Calif.

Josh LeBlanc, Georgetown, F, 6-7, 230, Baton Rouge, La.

Mac McClung, Georgetown, G, 6-2, 185, Lake City, Va.

Joey Hauser, Marquette, F, 6-9, 230, Stevens Point, Wis.

Saddiq Bey, Villanova, F, 6-8, 220, Largo, Md.

*Denotes unanimous selection.