St. John’s breakout star Zuby Ejiofor hasn’t seen a challenge like this
OMAHA, Neb. — Through the first two months of the season, Zuby Ejiofor established himself as perhaps St. John's best player. He scores, defends and rebounds at an elite level. He has proven himself against quality big men such as Kansas State's Coleman Hawkins, New Mexico State's Nellie Jr. Joseph and Baylor University's Norchad Omie. […]
St. John’s not shying away from quest to win Big East before Creighton test
OMAHA, Neb. — St. John's University is thinking big. How big is it? Big East Championship Big. “The only motivation is we’re trying to win the whole league,” junior wing RJ Lewis said Monday. “We're aiming for a big win and we're looking to go dancing in March.” RJ Lewis, pictured during the Dec. 28 […]
St. John’s Deivon Smith has big night after Rick Pitino’s challenge
Rick Pitino's pregame speech on Saturday was quick and to the point. “Play like Zubby.” [Ejiofor]” the coach said, referring to St. John’s all-power forward. Davon Smith took that to heart. On Dec. 28, 2024, Davon Smith stood up for a dunk after scoring 20 points and grabbing 13 rebounds during St. John's 97-76 win […]
St. John’s uses balanced attack to rip Delaware for sixth straight win
St. John's nonconference finale was representative of the whole story. Good, not great. There weren't any bad losses, but there weren't any big wins either. Davon Smith takes a shot during St. John's win over Delaware on Dec. 28, 2024. Robert Sabo, New York Post Johnny's held serve. They lost to Boston College and the […]
St. John’s 3-point shooting could be pivotal in how season shakes out
There was one statistic that stood out throughout the two Big East games. Depending on how you look at it, the one number that could make you believe more in St. John's or doubt Rick Pitino's team. It's a 3 point line. Despite being outscored by 21 points from beyond the arc, the Johnnies are […]
Spurs’ Julian Champagnie set for MSG return after St. John’s stardom
Christmas Day will be a different kind of homecoming for former St. John's star Julien Champagnie. For the first time since his college days, the Brooklyn native will be on the Garden floor in a key role. The 6-foot-8 Champagnie is having a breakout season with the Spurs, averaging 12.5 points and 5.1 rebounds on […]
Rick Pitino’s influence evident in St. John’s newfound identity
You can point out differences in the size of the positions. The increased athleticism will allow St. John's to play faster. Key players Simeon Wilcher, RJ Lewis, and Zuby Ejiofor return, and there is continuity. But the biggest difference between Rick Pitino's first St. John's team and his second six weeks later is what happens […]
St. John’s shocks Providence at the buzzer on Zuby Ejiofor’s clutch shot
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — About a month ago, I heard the buzzer, broke my heart, and spent Friday night in ecstasy. Zuby Ejiofor was in the middle of both dramatic finishes. His two missed free throws and a clock error gave St. John's a blowout win over Baylor in the Bahamas. St. John's Red Storm forward […]
St. John’s brutal night at free-throw line nearly cost them vs. Providence
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — St. John's can expect a ton of free throws in its next practice. On Friday night, the charity stripe almost cost the Johnny's a big win. In the game against Providence at Amica Mutual Pavilion, he made 11 of 26 from the line and won 72-70. St. John's Red Storm guard RJ […]
‘Relentless’ Zuby Ejiofor has proved himself as St. John’s best player
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — St. John's has more talented players than Zuby Ejiofor. We have more skilled players. There are players with higher upside potential. But through 11 games, there may not be a better player. Just ask Rick Pitino. In a recent press conference, he talked about Johnny's problems guarding teams playing without true big […]