Pair of Johnnies Garner Preseason Accolades

New York, NY—The late great Malik Sealy, who was a first round pick to the Indiana Pacers after his illustrious St. John’s career, was the last member of the Red Storm to receive the “Preseason Big East Player of the Year” award. He shared that award with fellow Johnnie Alonzo Mourning during that same season. The time has come where Brooklyn native and All First Teamer Shamorie Ponds has joined the list of Johnnies to become the 2018-19 Preseason Player of the Year.

Ponds, now in his junior season, has come off a sophomore season that proved to be his best, and one of the best campaigns as a Johnnie, ever. Leading the conference in scoring with 21.6 points per game, and broke the sophomore scoring record of his head coach, Chris Mullin, it was a no brainer as to who should be garnered with this prestigious award. This award is an addition to the already given A.P. Honorable Mention All American, and All Big East First Team selection.

In addition to Shamorie Ponds, who has many awards of his own, a former Arizona transfer and current teammate in Justin Simon, was awarded a spot on the “Preseason All Big East Second Team”. Simon, one of the leagues top talents, was the only player within the conference who finished top five in rebounds, assists and steals a season ago.

Justin Simon, a redshirt Junior from Temecula, CA, joined the Johnnies a season ago, when he transferred from the Arizona Wildcats. Simon, helped lead the team with Ponds, and played lucrative and important minutes for the Johnnies when LoVett was deemed out for the season, and the depth lacked when a lone injury occurred to whomever. The team best 7.1 boards per game ranked him fifth in the Big East. He also led the team in double-doubles as well with nine.