Zuby Ejiofor of St. John's has won the Lt. Frank J. Haggerty Award, recognizing him as the top player in the New York metropolitan area. This prestigious award, which dates back to 1936, is named after a St. John's alumnus who served in WWII. Ejiofor's victory marks consecutive wins for St. John's players, following RJ Luis Jr. in 2025. His impressive performance this season included leading the team to a 30-win record and a Sweet 16 appearance for the first time in 27 years. The award will be presented at the annual MBWA Haggerty Awards dinner in Tarrytown, N.Y.

By the Numbers
  • Ejiofor averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game.
  • He ranked 2nd in the BIG EAST for field goal percentage at 53.6%.
Yes, But

While Ejiofor's accolades are impressive, there is debate about individual versus team recognition in college basketball, with some arguing the importance of contributions from other team members. Additionally, the consistency of performance across seasons poses questions about sustainability in individual achievements.

State of Play
  • St. John's men's basketball is experiencing a resurgence, highlighted by back-to-back Haggerty Award winners.
  • The program leads all schools with 29 Haggerty Award recipients.
What's Next

Ejiofor will be recognized at the Haggerty Awards dinner and is expected to pursue further professional opportunities post-graduation. St. John's may look to build on this success in the upcoming season with a strong recruiting class.

Bottom Line

Ejiofor's achievement underscores St. John's dominance in college basketball, particularly in the metropolitan area, and sets a high bar for future players. His combination of skill, leadership, and recognition illustrates the potential for continued success for both him and the program.