Ejiofor Shines as Top Center in Senior Year
INDIANAPOLIS — Zuby Ejiofor has added yet another accolade to an already remarkable senior season.
This past Saturday, the standout from St. John’s was awarded the prestigious Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award as the nation’s best center, outperforming Gonzaga’s Graham Icke, Kansas’ Florrie Vidunga, Florida’s Alex Condon, and North Carolina’s Henri Viessart.
The 6-foot-9 player excelled in his final season at St. John’s, guiding the Johnnys to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999, while also achieving a complete Big East regular-season sweep and securing the Big East Tournament championship.
“I feel truly humbled and honored to receive the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. Being associated with Kareem’s legacy—representing excellence and leadership—means a lot to me,” Ejiofor expressed in an interview, noting he’s the first player from St. John’s to clinch both the Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season. “This recognition pushes me to keep striving for success on the court, but also to make a positive impact in the lives of others.”
Ejiofor is the inaugural St. John’s player to receive the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, which has been given since the 2014-15 season.
Beyond that, he is also among the four finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.
Remarkably, he was the sole high-major player in the country to lead his team in points (16.3), rebounds (7.3), assists (3.5), and blocked shots (2.1).
During the postseason, Ejiofor maintained impressive averages: 18 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3 blocks over six games.
The enthusiastic athlete hails from Garland, Texas, having transferred to St. John’s after a season at the University of Kansas, where he played a role in back-to-back 30-win seasons for the Johnnys.
Over the past two years, Ejiofor has become a prominent figure in the St. John’s program, earning the trust of head coach Rick Pitino.
During a game when St. John’s clinched the regular-season title, he was seen imploring his teammates to focus on defense and rebounding after a timeout—acting almost like a coach himself.
“You’re going to retire me. I can’t imagine life without you,” Pitino humorously told Ejiofor back in February after a standout performance against Connecticut.
The connection they share is quite evident.
“He really changed my life,” Ejiofor said when he was named Big East Player of the Year. “Coach Pitino pushed and challenged me in ways I hadn’t expected. I wasn’t talkative initially, but being with him helped me open up. He transformed my outlook—not just in basketball, but in life as a whole.”
Another honor is on the horizon for Ejiofor. He is predicted to win the Hagerty Award, which recognizes the region’s top athlete, with the announcement set for April 23rd. The previous year’s honoree was St. John’s RJ Lewis.
As for his professional future, Ejiofor is expected to be chosen in the late first or early second round of the upcoming draft. The last player from St. John’s to be selected was Sir Dominic Pointer, who was picked 53rd overall by the Cavaliers in 2015.
