2026 NBA Draft Approaches
The 2026 NBA Draft is nearly here—definitely a significant moment on the league’s schedule. For many, it feels like that childhood ambition of getting to play in the NBA is finally within reach.
Teams will be eyeing what players they can acquire through this draft, hoping to find those who will be essential to their success both now and in the years to come.
Meanwhile, organizations will be strategizing behind the scenes to align with their goals for the 2026-27 season.
The Lakers, holding the 25th overall pick, really need to capitalize on this opportunity to strengthen their roster. It’s crucial they make impactful decisions.
As they look to build a competitive team against the reigning Western Conference champion Spurs and the most recent NBA champion Thunder, the Lakers have two main routes: they could go for a seasoned player who can help contend right away, or they could select a promising prospect to develop over time.
If they opt for the latter, there’s certainly no shortage of talent to choose from in the draft.
At the forefront of potential picks is Zubby Ejiofor from St. John’s. His defensive versatility, relentless energy, and drive could prove valuable for the Lakers’ frontcourt.
Zubby Ejiofor, St. John’s, Big
2025-26 Statistics (St. John’s): Played 30 minutes per game across 37 games, averaging 16.3 points with a shooting rate of 53.6%, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.2 steals.
2024-25 Statistics (St. John’s): In 36 games, he averaged 14.7 points (shooting 57.7%), along with 8.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks in around 31.8 minutes.
2023-24 Statistics (St. John’s): Played 33 games, averaging 4.3 points (with a 48.9% shooting rate), 3.1 rebounds, in about 11 minutes of play.
2022-23 Statistics (Kansas State): Averaged 1.2 points (65% shooting), with 1.7 rebounds in about 5 minutes across 25 games.
Measurements: 6-foot-7.5 (without shoes), weighing 245 pounds, wingspan of 7-foot-2, and standing reach of 8-foot-11.
Why Draft Zubby Ejiofor?
Even though he’s somewhat undersized for a big man, Ejiofor has shown he can be a formidable defender due to his length, instincts, and strength.
He can switch onto perimeter players and effectively hold his ground in isolation. Even if an opponent manages to get by him initially, he possesses the speed and reach to recover and disrupt their shot.
His four years in college basketball have also equipped him with the awareness to be in the right defensive position. This, combined with an improvement in his passing skills, could translate well offensively in the NBA.
But perhaps his most striking characteristic is his intensity on the court. This showed, especially in the 2025-26 season, where he managed to grab an average of 3.3 offensive rebounds, reflecting his continual growth from his early days at Kansas to leading St. John’s to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
For a talent-driven team like the Lakers, a player like Ejiofor, who brings high energy on every possession, could significantly enhance the overall team dynamics.
Is There Room for Improvement?
Ejiofor’s smaller stature can sometimes hinder his ability to score against larger defenders, making it tricky for him to finish at the rim.
And if he struggles with his three-point shot consistency—he recorded just 30.5% in 2025-26 and 27.7% in college—it limits his offensive threat and overall effectiveness, especially since he isn’t much of an offensive creator. Without that edge, he might end up as just a capable big man known for his energy and effort.
