St. John’s University forward Zuby Ejiofor has capped a remarkable senior season by being unanimously selected as the 2025-26 BIG EAST Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The announcement, made on March 11, 2026, marks a historic achievement for the Red Storm program.
Ejiofor becomes the first player to win the BIG EAST Player of the Year award unanimously since Creighton’s Doug McDermott in the 2013-14 season. This dual honor highlights his dominance on the court and his commitment in the classroom, solidifying his status as one of the nation’s premier college basketball players.
A Meteoric Rise to Stardom
Ejiofor’s journey to the top of the conference has been one of steady, impressive growth. After a quiet freshman season at Kansas in 2022-23, where he averaged 1.2 points and 1.7 rebounds per game, Ejiofor transferred to St. John’s. Under the guidance of Coach Rick Pitino, his game has flourished.
His statistics tell the story of a player who has expanded his role each year:
- 2023-24 (Sophomore): 4.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 blocks per game.
- 2024-25 (Junior): 14.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks per game. Named First-Team All-Big East and Big East Most Improved Player.
- 2025-26 (Senior): 16.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game. Named Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
This season, Ejiofor has been the engine for the No. 13-ranked Red Storm, showcasing a versatile skill set that includes scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and elite rim protection.
Historic Performances in the Big East Tournament
Ejiofor’s award-winning season was on full display during the 2026 Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden. In the quarterfinal victory over Providence on March 12, he posted a dominant 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. He followed that with a 20-point, 5-rebound performance in a semifinal win against Seton Hall on March 13, propelling St. John’s to the championship game.
Earlier in the season, on February 28, Ejiofor recorded a historic triple-double against Villanova with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, becoming just the fourth known St. John’s player to achieve the feat.
Awards and NBA Draft Prospects
In addition to his conference honors, Ejiofor was recently named a finalist for the prestigious Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award, given to the nation’s top collegiate center. His stellar play has significantly boosted his NBA Draft stock, with several analysts linking the 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward to the New York Knicks as a potential draft target.
Zuby Ejiofor’s story is one of perseverance and development. From a role player at Kansas to a unanimous conference Player of the Year at St. John’s, he has cemented his legacy as one of the best players in Red Storm history and a name to watch in the upcoming NBA Draft.