‘Baby Shaq’ brings a new meaning to Seminole basketball

In the chaotic world of college recruiting, Florida State men’s basketball secured freshman center Marcis Ponder back in Nov. 2025. Nicknamed ‘Baby Shaq,’ Ponder is joining a revamped Seminoles squad looking for a breakout year in the upcoming 2026-27 season.The 7-foot, approximately 285 pound center is eager to work toward many personal goals he set for himself as he begins his college basketball career. With expectations building for him and the team as the season yearns closer, Ponder is ready for the road ahead with eyes on a ACC honor.“Long term goal [for me would be] ACC Defensive Player of the Year,” Ponder said in an interview with the FSView. “I love defense, love [getting] rebounds, [and I] love blocking shots. That’s my job.”In a preseason game on Oct. 14, FSU defeated Auburn University 82-71. Ponder played 25 minutes, tallying 13 points and a team-high 21 rebounds. He was the only player to register double-digit rebounds in that game.Want more player profiles? Sign up for the FSView NewsletterFlorida native played football before switching sportsBefore the season started, Ponder’s goal was to lose weight and get into “basketball shape.” To help with his weight loss journey, Ponder started cooking his own meals, a skill he credits to his mother. Now living away from home, the freshman wants to take that off-court skill to the next level during his time away from home.“I started [in] football. That’s why I feel like my aggressiveness, my ability to go bump with another guy that’s the same size as me, and not be afraid to do it.” Ponder said. “But my transition to basketball was hard. I was over 300 pounds. I was in shape for football, but not for basketball.”Ponder said shedding the extra weight has improved his conditioning and on-court performance, allowing him to remain available and present on the court.Ponder started his basketball journey in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), with West Oaks Academy located in Orlando, Fla. In the 2025-2026 season, Ponder decided to move to Springfield, Va. and play under head coach Kenny Gillion at Gillion Basketball Academy for his fifth and final year of high school.Ponder’s mother molded ‘Baby Shaq’ into the man he is todayBorn in Miami, Ponder was one of eight siblings growing up. Throughout his basketball career, his family has remained a constant source of support, making sure he does not falter in achieving his dreams.“[My family doesn’t] get jealous, they love to see me win, they love to see me working hard,” Ponder said. “They don’t baby me, [not] even my mom … [She] raised a house full of boys so she gotta be hard somewhere somehow.’Despite the “no-babying” upbringing, Ponder earned the nickname“Baby Shaq” at age 14. Given to him back in the early years of his basketball career while playing AAU, Ponder was always a larger-than-average player growing up. He often opted to dunk the ball instead of shooting it.“I was heavy set [growing up] … I was never shooting, 100% just dunking the ball,” Ponder said. “Of course, ‘Baby Shaq,’ Shaquille O’Neall, … [is] a big name to live up to. I’m not close to that level yet … [but] I want to get past that level that he was … but [I] also want to make a name for myself … I’m totally honored to have [that] nickname, but I’m Marcis Ponder.”Florida State was always Ponder’s dream schoolBack when he was still a football player at 14 years old, Ponder attended a football camp hosted by the ’Noles. Ever since attending, Ponder kept following his dream school until his eventual commitment to the Garnet and Gold.The culture second-year head coach Luke Loucks is building within the program also played a role in the recruitment process. With Loucks bringing his coaching experience from the National Basketball Association to Florida State, Ponder told the FSView that every player needs to come in to practice ready to go 110%.Despite the pressure to perform in his freshman season, Ponder does not want it to negatively affect his mental health off the court.“I just want to keep my joy,” Ponder said. “I’m a friendly giant. I’m a kid … So I just want to keep that through college.”The Seminoles will begin the 2026-27 regular season in the Orion180 Tip-off Classic on Nov. 2 at 8:30 p.m. against Florida A&M University in Tampa, Fla. at Benchmark International Arena.Abraham Piroozmand is a Staff Writer for the FSView & Florida Flambeau, the student-run, independent online news service for the FSU community. Email our staff at contact@fsview.com.This article originally appeared on FSU News: ‘Baby Shaq’ brings a new meaning to Seminole basketball