Big East Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose | Jul 4, 2023

Dec 13, 2016; Villanova, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) gets congratulations from head coach Jay Wright and guard Jalen Brunson (1) after leaving the game late in the second half against the Temple Owls at The Pavilion. Villanova defeated Temple, 78-57. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

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Big East Basketball St. Johns Red Storm Shamorie Ponds Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Shamorie Ponds

A Top 40 prospect back in 2016, Ponds was part of Chris Mullin’s first recruiting class at St. John’s and was certainly the best weapon he had while leading his alma mater. A 6’1 point guard from Brooklyn, Ponds stuck around college ball for three seasons and was a major offensive weapon for the Red Storm for his entire career.

In his freshman season, Ponds averaged 17.4 points per game and made 37% of his 3-pointers, quite the opening act to his college career, albeit in a terrible season for the Red Storm. St. John’s was a bit better the next season and so was he, putting up 21.6 points and 4.7 assists per game. Ponds was a major scorer and ball distributor and had similar numbers in his third and final campaign. Among the highlights was a 44-point explosion in a sophomore year win against Marquette and a 33-point effort earlier that year in an upset win over Duke.

Ponds didn’t play in the NCAA Tournament and his Red Storm didn’t win a ton of games, but he was twice named First Team All-Big East and emerged as one of the league’s most potent players. He was the Big East’s top scorer as a sophomore and led the league twice in steals.

Ponds did it all for the Red Storm, shooting well from all over the court, racking up the assists, and doing all he could despite the program not having the all-around talent to compete. Regardless, Ponds was a major player, with 1870 career points in just three years.

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