Shammgod Wells didn’t choose his family, his father or his name. But there are certain expectations when you’re the son of a former McDonald’s All-American who played in the NBA.
“I never had to play basketball,” Wells said. “But everybody thinks that since I’m Shammgod’s son I have to play basketball and I have to be good. If I was a bad player, it would be like somebody isn’t doing something right, because I’m supposed to be good.”
His father, God Shammgod, is a New York City basketball legend. He led Providence to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament, played for the Washington Wizards and has won MVP awards in China, the place he has called home for almost a decade.
His father also happens to have one of the most unique names in hoops history and Wells, a rising senior at his dad’s alma mater LaSalle, is forever bound to it – and that’s OK with him.
“That makes them want to go 10 times harder, because they want my name,” Wells said. “And that always tells me that I gotta stay on top of my game. That keeps me motivated, because I know people are always coming for my spot.”
Wells had a strong performance for The Bronx Sunday in the Battle of the Boroughs tournament at Gauchos Gym. The 5-foot-8 point guard’s 3-pointer with 1:27 left in the semifinals against Queens pulled his Bronx squad within 57-53. He then drew an offensive foul on former St. John’s recruit Jevon Thomas with 27 seconds left and The Bronx down 58-56. He ended up sealing the comeback victory with two free throws with 9.7 seconds to go.
More importantly, Shammgod was in attendance, coming straight from John F. Kennedy International Airport with his bags – he was in China working out – to see his son play.
“When he comes back, he always comes to me first, asks me if I want to work out, being a dad,” Wells said.
The two spent almost all of July together working out. Wells didn’t play on the AAU circuit in favor of staying in the gym with his dad. Shammgod thinks his 16-year-old son is actually a better player than he was at this stage.
“I’m proud of his development,” Shammgod said. “I just want everybody to give him his own chance. He plays with a lot of passion.”
It hasn’t always been easy bearing the burden of his name. Wells transferred to LaSalle from St. Raymond before last season and sat out this past winter. He wanted to be at his father’s old school which he felt would nurture his talent best. Shammgod competed on the same team as Ron Artest in high school.
“LaSalle not being in the ‘AA,’ I don’t think the spotlight is shining on him that brightly,” talent evaluator Tom Konchalski said. … “He’s improved a great deal. He’s gotta get a little stronger physically, but he’s going to be a good player.”
Wells fancies himself as more of a facilitator and shooter than his father, who was at his best getting to the basket and finishing. Shammgod believes that his son has a better feel for the game at this stage, because of the experience he’s had. He plans on taking Wells with him to China next year to work out with the national team, in addition to playing AAU.
“Since he was born, he was at all the LaSalle games,” Shammgod said. “He came to all my college games. When I was with the Wizards, he was at all the Wizards games. That’s him. He’s gonna rise to the occasion.”
Wells has interest from Providence, of course, and some from Hofstra. But he hasn’t been seen by many places yet and plans to do a post-grad year. Shammgod feels the sky will be the limit.
“One more year of work?” the proud father said. “Trust me. He’s gonna be a freak of nature.”