Zuby Ejiofor has made himself a household name in New York City and now he’s adding to his legacy with the St. John’s basketball program.
Ejiofor was named as the lone unanimous selection to the All-Big East First Team this season in the conference, which was the second consecutive year he was tabbed as one of the five best players in conference.
“Just a bunch of ups-and-downs, as life is. My first year was like a learning curve for me, just getting to understand Coach Pitino and him understanding me,” he explained after the Red Storm clinched a share of the Big East regular season title against Seton Hall on Friday night.
“Kind of a down year with expectations we didn’t meet but then the following year, just sticking to it and trusting him and him trusting me and giving me a new role, stepping up as a leader.”
Ejiofor was also named as a unanimous section to the Big East All-Defensive Team, which led to his Big East Defensive Player of the Year Award that was announced on Monday afternoon.
“Where else could I possibly go?” he added in Newark. “It’s been one heck of a journey, one that I wouldn’t take back for anything, and we still got more work to be done.”
The Red Storm superstar became the fifth player in program history to win the top defensive honor in the league and the first since Posh Alexander in 2021.
Ultimately, it’ll lead to his crowning moment as the Big East Player of the Year at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon prior to the beginning of the Big East Tournament.
“You got to give a whole lot of credit to Coach Pitino and the staff of the pieces that they were able to bring to this program and the culture that we’re trying to build here,” Ejiofor continued.
“St. John’s is nationally known now and it’s going to be as long as he’s in charge and we’re trying to build something special, especially not just now but even when I leave down the line. Just a winning culture of great guys that are really committed to playing under Coach Pitino and what he stands for because he’s one of the best, if not the best, of all time.”
Bryce Hopkins was named to the All-Big East Second Team while Dillon Mitchell landed Third Team honors as well as a spot on the All-Defensive Team.