The St. John's men's basketball starting five received significant recognition from the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association (MBWA) for their performances during the 2025-26 season. Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins were named to the First Team, while Dillon Mitchell earned Second Team honors. Dylan Darling received Third Team recognition, and Oziyah Sellers was honored as an Honorable Mention. This marks the second consecutive year that all five starters have earned All-MET honors while leading St. John's to historic success, including back-to-back BIG EAST regular season and conference tournament titles and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

By the Numbers
  • Zuby Ejiofor averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.
  • Five Johnnies have earned All-MET honors for two consecutive seasons.
  • St. John's reached 30 wins for only the fourth time in its 119-year history.
Yes, But

While the Johnnies celebrated team success, there may be scrutiny over whether individual accolades truly reflect the overall level of competition in the BIG EAST compared to other conferences.

State of Play
  • Ejiofor earned a variety of individual awards, underscoring his dominance during the season.
  • The team has momentum heading into the offseason after a strong tournament performance.
What's Next

As the Johnnies prepare for the next season, they will hope to build on their recent successes and maintain their status as a powerhouse in the conference. Retaining key players and potential recruitment will be crucial for sustaining this momentum.

Bottom Line

The recognition of the St. John's starting five highlights an exceptional season that not only reflects individual talent but also team achievement, setting the stage for continued success in future competitions.