St. John's Zuby Ejiofor named Big East's most improved player this season
St. John's Zuby Ejiofor reacts after defeating Seton Hall on March 1, 2025, at MSG to win the Big East regular-season title. Credit: AP/Noah K. Murray
Zuby Ejiofor’s run of big days continued on Monday when he was selected by Big East coaches as the conference’s Most Improved Player.
On Saturday, Ejiofor made a short one-hander to beat the final buzzer in overtime and give sixth-ranked St. John's an 86-84 victory over No. 20 Marquette in Milwaukee for their 16th win in 17 games. On Sunday, he was selected to the All-Big East first team along with teammate RJ Luis Jr.
Ejiofor is averaging 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds this season and has nine double-doubles. He transferred from Kansas before last season and averaged 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11 minutes per game as the backup to Joel Soriano. But during the offseason he transformed his body and his game to become one of the nation’s top rebounders.
The affable 6-9 junior also was named one of the team’s captains in October and frequently has been praised by coach Rick Pitino for his leadership.
More accolades could be coming for Big East regular-season champion St. John’s (27-4) before they play Thursday at noon in a Big East Tournament quarterfinal against the winner of Wednesday’s first-round game between No. 9 Butler and eighth-seeded Providence.
On Wednesday, the conference will announce its Coach of the Year — Pitino is the odds-on favorite to win — and its Player of the Year. Luis is considered one of the favorites.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
