Zuby Ejiofor, a key player for St. John's Men's Basketball, was chosen by the Atlanta Hawks as the 23rd pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He is the first St. John's player selected in the first round since 2012 and only the 63rd overall to be drafted from the program. Ejiofor's impressive three-year collegiate career included multiple accolades and helped elevate the Red Storm to significant achievements, including their first Sweet 16 appearance in over two decades.

By the Numbers
  • 12.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game average during his three seasons
  • Ranked 30th all-time in program history with 1,274 points
  • Swept the BIG EAST Regular Season and Tournament Championships in consecutive years
  • Achieved a record of 30-7, marking the second straight season with 30 wins
Yes, But

While Ejiofor's selection marks a significant milestone for St. John's, it also highlights the challenges ahead for the program, including maintaining success and producing future NBA talent amidst fierce competition.

State of Play
  • Ejiofor is the 18th first-round pick from Coach Rick Pitino's teams across multiple institutions.
  • St. John's is experiencing a resurgence, tying the BIG EAST's regular season wins record.
What's Next

With Ejiofor now in the NBA, St. John's will need to focus on recruiting to fill the void left by his departure and potentially elevate their program further in future seasons.

Bottom Line

Ejiofor's successful transition to the NBA underscores the importance of developing homegrown talent while St. John's aims to sustain its competitive edge and build on recent successes.