Shamorie Ponds toiling in G-League without any St. John's regrets

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At this time last year, Shamorie Ponds was a mini-celebrity. His face was plastered on the sides of buses, the face of his undefeated hometown school.

Now, he’s just another player trying to make it in the G-League, playing in mostly empty arenas, doing everything he can to earn a living as a professional.

So much has changed for the former St. John’s star. And, yet, he doesn’t regret his decision. He doesn’t have second thoughts about leaving school a year early, despite going undrafted.

“Everybody starts somewhere,” the Brooklyn native and Raptors 905 guard told The Post recently, after one of his best games, a 25-point performance in a victory over the Long Island Nets at Nassau Coliseum.

In a way, the 6-foot Ponds is starting over, playing against grown men with identical dreams, and he believes he found the perfect organization to do so with the Raptors. Toronto is known for its player development, turning former undrafted Wichita State guard Fred VanVleet from a G-League standout into key part of last year’s championship team.

Ponds was in attendance for the Raptors’ home opener, and was specifically addressed by general manager Masai Ujiri.

“You’re going to be out there on that court, so I’m going to be on you” Ujiri told Ponds, who signed a two-way contract with the Raptors on Oct. 23 after getting released by the Rockets.

The small crowds don’t bother him. Ponds grew up playing in front of sparse audiences. Neither does the travel, flying commercial, having to switch flights or take long bus trips.

“I used to take the train growing up,” said the southpaw, who has added muscle, cut his body fat to 8 percent and is working on lowering it even further, as requested by the Raptors.

Ponds has gotten a taste of the NBA life, appearing in three games, scoring his first points on Nov. 7 against the Knicks, which he described as a “dream come true.”

For that dream to one day be an everyday reality, Ponds has to prove himself in the G-League. He’s averaging 16.2 points on 43.5 percent shooting, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists, but those aren’t the numbers the Raptors care about. They want to see Ponds develop defensively, become a menace like VanVleet and starting point guard Kyle Lowry. He’s been told to dedicate himself defensively, to be 100 percent committed at that end of the floor.

“That’s what I’m focused on, staying engaged [on defense],” he said. “Once I do that, I feel like I have a great shot.”

It’s not just about shutting his man down. It’s about understanding the organization’s defensive philosophies, being in tune with his teammates, taking that end of the floor as seriously as when the ball is in his hands.

“Every game, I do think he’s taking small steps towards being a better defender,” Raptors 905 coach Jama Mahlalela said.

Mahlalela has been impressed with Ponds, particularly his hands, his soft touch on offense and ability to create steals and corral loose balls on defense. He’s played him significant minutes — 28.9 per game — and can see him developing into an NBA player as long as Ponds progresses on the defensive end as the Raptors hope.

“No question, our scouts and front office are really excited by his potential,” the coach said.

Ponds hasn’t forgotten about his old school. He watches Red Storm games and is thrilled to see Rasheem Dunn, his former high school teammate, doing so well, averaging 11.3 points per game off the bench. He’s met new coach Mike Anderson a few times and has only heard positive things about him.

But he doesn’t miss college. Ponds has his sights set on the next level and becoming the latest Raptors success story. But he also knows that can’t happen without him being at his best in the G-League, where he will spend the majority of his first professional season.

“The NBA is my main goal, but I mean there’s stepping stones to get there,” Ponds said. “I got to focus on where I’m at now.”

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