SERBY’S SUNDAY Q&A WITH... Shamorie PONDS
Sophomore St. John’s point guard and Brooklyn native Shamorie Ponds takes a shot at some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby. Q: You wrote “I been to hell and back” on your Instagram. A: My growing-up environment [East New York], it wasn’t always so pretty. ... It wasn’t the prettiest thing a kid wants to see. So I feel like I’ve been through a lot. Q: What is the scariest thing you ever witnessed? A: Probably somebody getting shot in front of me. Had me traumatized. I didn’t want to come outside for days. Seeing that ... I was just ... scared. Q: How old were you? A: I probably was like 12 or 11, around there. Q: Did you know the person who got shot? A: No, I didn’t know the person. But I was just like right there. Q: So what did you do at that point? A: I ran home, but when I got in the house, it just made me realize that could have been me. I was right there. Q: Also on your Instagram: “LongliveNip4Eva.” A: That’s one of my close friends that died. He got shot, in the back of his head. Something we said, just from my neighborhood, just to keep him alive. Q: How has your background shaped you? A: Even though I wasn’t in the streets, I saw everything that went on. I didn’t want nothing to do with that. I just wanted my family and friends just to be alive. I just had to situate myself with different friends, but we could be friends from afar. Q: What makes a New York City point guard unique? A: Definitely like the swagger. You’ll always know when a guy’s from New York just the way he moves and just the way he gets around on the court. Also like how tough he is. New York guards are tough, like Lance Stephenson, Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair ... killers on the court. Q: And you consider yourself a killer on the court? A: Killer on the court. Q: Describe your on-court mentality. A: I’d just say I’m always locked in, and I’m just ready to get the job done, ready to get a win. I’m just like overly focused. Q: Are you in one of those zones where the basket looks really big to you? A: I wouldn’t say that, I’m just confident as ever. Confident in my game. Nobody really sees the work I put in. I feel like it’s paying off. Q: The work you put in? A: Morning and night. After the Butler game [when he scored just two points Jan. 27], came in the next morning, for like an hour and 30, just putting up non-stop shots. Then I came back later that day. And I ain’t stopped since. Q: Why do you put yourself through all this? A: Nothing is gonna be handed to you. I feel like if you don’t work on your game, you will stay the same, while everybody working on their game, they’re gonna go up while you’re in the same spot. Q: What one area of your game are you looking to improve? A: I’d say I have to work on a lot of things — definitely getting stronger, shaping my body bigger. And just defending off the ball. I tend to ball watch, fall asleep. So I feel like I gotta get better on that. Q: Why do you like big games so much? A: I think that’s where the stars are made, in the biggest game, the biggest stage. And the bigger you showcase who you are, it shows who you are. Q: What is your best big-game performance? A: I’d have to say the Duke one [33 points in an 81-77 win Feb. 4 over the fourth-ranked Blue Devils]. Q: That’s my nephew’s favorite team by the way. A: (Turns to my nephew) Sorry about that (chuckle). Q: Why that one? A: First of all, the crowd, 19,000 [at Madison Square Garden]. I never played in front of a crowd like that in a game. It was just so fun, I was having fun out there, and we got the win. It was like joy. Q: What’s so great about playing at the Garden? A: That should be like a dream for kids to play in Madison Square Garden. It’s the mecca of basketball. It’s the brightest lights. I don’t think it gets better than that. Q: You seem to thrive on the pressure. A: I think it just motivates me. There’s like negative pressure, ’cause everybody’s praying on your downfall and just wishing you bad, so I just tend to block it out and just play, not think about it. If you overthink on it, you’re gonna find yourself doubt too much, trying too hard. Q: Ever watch clips of Chris Mullin? A: I was watching clips on YouTube two days ago. Q: What made you watch? A: One of my friends said he couldn’t dunk. I was just trying to prove to him that he could dunk. Q: What did you observe about your coach’s game? A: Great player. Great shooter. Picked his spots well. ... Hall of Famer, man. Nothing else you could say about it. Q: How does he compare with your coach at Thomas Jefferson HS, Bud Pollard? A: They’re both laid back and let you play, let you have freedom. They find a way to put freedom and restriction so you’re not doing whatever you want. Q: If you could play 1-on-1 with anybody in history, who would it be? A: Probably Steph Curry. ... He’s my favorite player. I think a lot of kids would want to play against him. Who won’t? I’m looking forward to it soon ... eventually. Q: What would be the percentage that you’ll be back playing for St. John’s next season? A: When that time comes, it comes. I don’t really have a percentage if I’ll be back. You never know what could happen. Like anything could happen. Q: Your plan is to sit down and evaluate your future after the season? A: For sure. Most definitely. Q: If I was an NBA general manager, tell me why I should draft you. A: I’m dedicated to the game. I’m a humble kid, well-mannered. I’m gonna come to your team and like ... run it. I’m gonna be the quarterback. Q: Who are other players you body like l to in watch? the NBA, but my favorite A: I pretty much respect everyplayers are Steph, Carmelo [AAnthony], KD [Kevin Durant], and an I’m really close to a lot of the rookies. ro Q: John Wall? A: Yeah John Wall’s my guy. Me and an him text on the regular. Q: How did you get friendly? A: I think he reached out to me or followed fo me on Instagram after one of my games, just telling me, “KKeep working.” QQ: Kyrie Irving? A: Yeah, Kyrie is also one of my guys. In high school, I wore No. 2 ’cause of him. Q: What was it like taking Thomas Jefferson to its first city title since 1954? A: It was like a dream come true, ’cause we always used to get to the championship, but just always lose. Each and every day, after we won, I felt it. When I woke up the next morning, it felt like the greatest day ever. Q: Who are athletes in other sports you admire? A: Ronaldo. Q: Boyhood idol? A: Allen Iverson. Q: Why him? A: ’Cause he was just always the littlest guy, and he always affected the game in so many ways. Q: Can St.John’s do some damage in the Big East Tournament? A: For sure. Now we know what we have to do to win. So in the biggest tournament, it’s gonna be very dangerous ’cause it’s our home court, and also we limit a lot of mistakes that we made in the past games. Q: You miss Marcus LoVett, the injured teammate leaving school? A: Yeah, that’s my guy. Sad to say he’s not here with us no more playing with us. We definitely miss him. Q: Are you a Knicks fan? A: No ... I don’t like the Knicks (smile). My favorite team is the Spurs. It’s like family over there. Q: Your uncle is former actor Wood Harris from “The Wire.” A: I asked him to get me a part in a movie (chuckle). Q: Three dinner guests? A: My mom, my grandmother and my great grandmother. Q: How would you describe what it’s like being Shamorie Ponds right now? A: I never thought a kid would ask for my autograph, picture. It’s a dream and a blessing just to know that I impact a lot of kids. I mean, it’s a dream come true. Q: So playing for New York’s college team has been ... A: Has been probably one of the best decisions in my life.