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Ponds shines at Jordan Classic

Ponds shines at Jordan Classic
Photo by Yaowei Lu

Shamorie Ponds gave his future teammates a peek at his skills.

The Jefferson guard calmly went about scoring 17 points, dishing out two assists, and collecting two steals in a losing effort during the Jordan Brand Classic boys’ basketball all-American game at Barclays Center on April 15. And four players from Ponds’ soon-to-be home at St. John’s University came out to watch as a way of bonding with the incoming star.

“It shows that we respect each other,” Ponds said. “I pretty much went to every home game they had, pretty much kick it in the locker room. We are just trying to get there. It’s a bond.”

St. John’s is coming off an 8–24 season, but Ponds expects things to turn around once he and the rest of the new recruiting class take the court.

“I’m pretty confident,” he said. “I feel we have a shot to do well next year with the chemistry we got.”

The Brooklyn Courier All-Brooklyn player of year said he would have liked a better show in his home town — he shot seven-for-15 with just one three-pointer made. He dropped in 15 of his points once he began seizing opportunities in the second half.

Ponds scored a quick seven points, including a long trey to pull his team within three points with 10:55 to play.

He is the first player from a New York City high school to play in the All-American game since Rice’s Durand Scott in 2009. And hometown fan gave him a nice ovation during introductions — a moment that will stick with him.

“It means a lot for a hometown guy,” Ponds said. “I’m just trying to put on a show.”

Brooklynites return for regional

Greenpoint native Travis Atson shook off early nerves playing in an all-star game in front of family and friends. The Notre Dame Prep star and Tulsa-bound wing scored 21 of his 25 points in the second half and grabbed four rebounds to help the Team New York beat Team East 148–128 in the Jordan Brand Regional game.

“I was a little nervous coming out,” Atson said. “I missed my first three or four shots. I calmed down. Second half, I just shot the ball how I always do.”

He put his full game on display, knocking down three treys, attacking the basket, and hitting the backboards. It was the way Atson hoped to go out before heading to Tulsa. He played in the five boroughs just three times since leaving Christ the King for prep school after his junior year.

“I’m so happy I went out playing great,” Atson said.

And playing at the Jordan Brand Classic was a rare chance for Flatbush native and MacDuffie School (Mass.) star Unique McClean to play at home.

He showed fans what they were missing by scoring 24 points and grabbing eight boards in the winning effort.

“My family could come to see me play, first time playing in an arena,” the UMass commit said. “It was just a great experience.”

He was happy with how he shot the ball — sinking 11 of 24 from the field on the big court — because it gives him something to build off of heading to college.

“Every time I shoot the ball, not I’m thinking, ‘It’s going to go in,’ ” McLean said. “Confidence booster definitely.”