CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
• One of 10 finalists for the 2020-21 Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year Award.
• 2020-21 SEC Tournament All-Tournament Team selection.
• Named the 2019-20 SEC Defensive Player of the Year – first Tennessee player to earn the honor.
• Two-time SEC All-Defensive Team choice (2019-20 and 2020-21).
• Represented France at the 2016 FIBA U-17 World Championship.
2020-21 (SENIOR)
• Averaged 8.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.81 blocks in 28.5 minutes per game.
• Ranked fourth in the SEC in blocks per game.
• Became the second Vol to be named to the SEC All-Defensive Team multiple times, joining Josh Richardson.
• Set Tennessee’s program record and tied the SEC Tournament record for blocked shots in a game with nine against Florida in the quarterfinals (March 12).
• Scored a season-high 20 points vs. Missouri (Jan. 23).
STRENGTHS
• Strong, defensive-minded forward with great length.
• Very athletic; plays above the rim with ease.
• Multi-position defender with quick feet for his size.
• Solid finisher around the basket.
PERSONAL
• Close friend of New York Knicks guard and fellow Frenchman Frank Ntilikina.
• Born in Haiti, where he spent 3½ years with his biological mother.
• Adopted by Babeth and Jean-Claude Pons, who raised him in France.
• Skilled saxophone player.
• Studied dance and competed in judo.
73
Pons blocked 73 shots in 2019-20, tying the Tennessee single-season record.
QUOTE
“Though they have talented guys, and he might be sixth or seventh on that [Tennessee] team as far as scoring, I think he’s probably the most valuable guy on both sides of the basketball. What he brings to the table, his athleticism, especially on the defensive side of the ball, whether he’s blocking shots or changing shots, he’s fun to watch.”
-Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin
— Profile by NBA Communications