NBADraft.net has Shamorie Ponds as the last pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. I personally think that's way too low and I truly believe he could be picked in the 12-17 range by next season.
I think there are two solid comparisons for Ponds. Kris Dunn and Kemba Walker. I think both are a bit more explosive than Ponds but Ponds has a very crafty and agile athleticism. He has a great mid-range jump shot and he has a lot of dribble drive moves. He's an underrated passer and defender. I personally think he's a better passer and rebounder than Kemba was as a sophomore and junior but Kemba was a better scorer.
However, I don't think Shamorie is far off. I think what's hurt Shamorie's three ball this year was them trying to get him to play off ball and letting Lovett and Simon be more of the ball handlers. I think Shamorie needs the ball in his hand and he needs to create. If he can work on that and develop his ability to hit catch and shoot 3's, I think he could be, at least, a 35% shooter from 3. The other thing he'll need to work on is adding a little more muscle and focusing on drawing contact when he gets to the rim. He needs to know when and how to draw more fouls to get to the line.
His usage rate is almost where Kemba's was as a junior and Ponds has the same turnover% that Kemba had as a junior.
Shamorie has a Kyrie/Isaiah Thomas like ability to use the glass while driving (he isn't Kyrie and Isaiah is more athletic) and his ability to stop on a dime and hit a mid-range jumper is key. If he can add a floater, become a better off-ball player (look at the 3 he missed against Georgetown and then the one he hit), and learn how to draw contact more, he could be a dynamic player in the NBA. I think Kemba Walker would be his ceiling.
But maybe I'm biased. What do you guys think?
I'm sure NBA scouts are drooling at the prospect of taking a guard who is undersized, subpar on defense, and shoots under 20% from the 3 pt arc....
How about a 90% FT shooter that can score at every level with perfect touch on his passes and elite NBA vision? Get this kid a capable ball handler to play with and he will be draining threes all over the court. He is going to be a plus plus NBA shooter that can get into his shot from any spot inside the half court in one dribble.
WOW are you seriously serious, like really??? You just described an NBA all-star (can score at will - elite NBA vision - draining 3's all over the court). Shocked he didn't go in the lottery last year. I know, he's projected to go this year right?
I think Ponds is a solid player - has an uncanny ability to get to the hole and finish, has a solid mid range game. He is NOT a pure shooter, probably not as bad a shooter as shown this year but far, far from elite. Have not seen any evidence of having elite vision, Cook and Barkley were levels better in that area. He can and should be a good defensive player but he's not, gambles to much, wanders away from his man all the time. That said, he's a good player and that's it.