A lot of things have changed for the St. John’s basketball program since the arrival of Rick Pitino; the team’s success, the national attention, but the individual accolades for its players might be the biggest.
Last season, the Red Storm had its first Big East Player of the Year – RJ Luis – since 1986 and the Johnnies could be looking at back-to-back honors after Zuby Ejiofor’s continued dominance last week against No. 3 UConn and Xavier.
Ejiofor, who was the Preseason Big East Player of the Year, went for 21 points, ten rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, and two steals against the Huskies. He made 6-of-10 shot attempts – which included his only 3-point attempt – and 8-of-10 free throws.
Against the Musketeers, he went for 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
If there was any doubt entering its nationally televised game on Friday night, Ejiofor is absolutely the frontrunner for the conference’s top honor and should be under consideration for a spot on the First or Second All-American Team.
Rick Pitino ripped the Wooden Award committee this week after they did not include the St. John’s big man in its midseason Top 20 list.
On the season, Ejiofor is posting 16.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game. He ranks in the Top 9 in the league in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks – something no one else has done this season.
St. John’s will likely finish first or second in the conference, but it doesn’t matter. There is no player more valuable to his team’s success than Zuby Ejiofor and it’s why he should be the runaway winner of the Player of the Year.
Entering Saturday’s (1:00 p.m. ET, TNT) matchup against Providence, the Red Storm only have seven more regular season games remaining. Its rematch with the Huskies will get the most attention, but Ejiofor has already done enough.
As long as he continues to lead St. John’s he will make program history with his roommate last season, Luis, and be remembered as one of the greats to every come through the program.