How Zuby Ejiofor became St. John’s best player this century

Back in the spring of 2023, the addition of Zuby Ejiofor hardly made a recruiting ripple.

Sure, the big man was considered a solid transfer from Kansas, a top 50 prospect out of Garland, Texas. He was brought in through the transfer portal then to be Joel Soriano’s backup. The big splashes in Rick Pitino’s first class were Simeon Wilcher, Daniss Jenkins, Jordan Dingle and Chris Ledlum.

Nobody knew then it would be such a poignant moment for the program. Three years later, it has become clear that Pitino convincing Ejiofor and his father, Andy Philacheck, that St. John’s was the right place for them was a grand slam of a recruiting win.

Ejiofor has developed into the best Johnnie this century. A winner. A defensive linchpin. By the end of this season, he will at least be a two-time All-Big East selection, and potentially a Big East Player of the Year and All-American. Ejiofor has become the face of the Pitino era, a high-character superstar, captain and guiding force in this phenomenal two-year run atop the conference.