Zuby Ejiofor growing into his game as St. John's eyes NCAA Tournament spot
St. John's Zuby Ejiofor sets up the play against Butler in on Feb. 28 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Gary Brockman
CHICAGO — Perhaps no player on the St. John’s roster has developed more during the course of this season than Zuby Ejiofor. The sophomore forward was bringing little more to the game than his athleticism — most often seen going for rebounds or blocking shots — when it started. Now in the final month of the season, Ejiofor is a more well-rounded player.
The 6-9 transfer from Kansas remains solid on the boards and a very good rim protector. As the season has worn on, he’s become better at defending opposing centers, developed a knack for putting back offensive rebounds and showed some skill driving to the basket.
The blossoming of Ejiofor’s game is coming at a most opportune time, as the Red Storm continues its fight to make the NCAA Tournament. Starter Joel Soriano hasn’t been the impactful player he was in the non-conference part of the season or when St. John’s won four of its first five Big East games.
Since the team’s hot start, Soriano’s scoring average has dropped from 16.4 points per game over the first 16 games to 10.8 and his rebounding average from 11.3 to 8.8. He had his worst performance in the 11-point loss at then-No. 7 Marquette on Feb. 10 with a season-low two points and five rebounds. Coach Rick Pitino even started Ejiofor over Soriano in the second half of that game.
Pitino has been eyeing Ejiofor for more time. And Soriano’s play has improved since that game in Milwaukee.
“Zuby has got to play more minutes,” Pitino said recently. “We’ve got to get Zuby to play anywhere from 12 to 16 minutes a game. That's something we have to do, especially since Joel has not played as dominant as he was in the beginning of the year. It's time for him to do that.”
One thing that Pitino doesn’t need to see more from Ejiofor is effort. He’s been praising the Texan’s high motor all season.
“That's how I judge people: on their work ethic,” Pitino said. “That's why I love Daniss (Jenkins) so much and I love Zuby so much: because of their work ethic. They bring it every day in practice. . . . They're dependable. They're predictable. I know who they are.”
To this point, Ejiofor only has been used at the center position. When Soriano comes out, he goes into the game. Pitino, however, sees him playing both center and power forward in seasons ahead.
“We hope to make Zuby a power forward in time,” Pitino said last week. “He does not have the ability to play the four spot now. His ball-handling is not good enough. His passing’s not good enough. He doesn't know the plays. He doesn't know the defenses. But we hope this summer to make him a four or five.”
Given the way the college game is played today, it also means developing Ejiofor’s outside shot. He even made a three-pointer last week as part of his nine points in the win at Butler.
“Working with Coach P in individual workouts, we have tried to add an outside shot,” Ejiofor said.
That’s a lot of player development being expected of him. But the progress he’s made does suggest it’s possible.
“Zuby started out the year with great intensity and great fire, but he was constantly dropping the ball in traffic — always dropping the ball,” Pitino said earlier this season. “And he’s developed into a player with good hands. The reason he was dropping the ball, he was always thinking about — like football — catching and running at the same time instead of looking the ball into your hands.”
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.
