St. John's University Athletics
Zuby Ejiofor Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List
1/29/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Ejiofor named one of 25 players in Division I to the mid-season watch list
QUEENS, N.Y. – St. John's men's basketball senior Zuby Ejiofor was named to the 2026 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List presented by MOLECULE, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced on Thursday.
Ejiofor, the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year, was one of the top 25 players from across the country to be recognized. The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award will be unveiled during the 2026 Final Four in Indianapolis in early April.
Ejiofor has played an integral role in the Red Storm's defensive efforts this season, anchoring the frontcourt in all 21 games. The Garland, Texas native currently averages 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.2 steals.
The 2025 BIG EAST Most Improved Player has been dominant on the glass this season. The nation's leading offensive rebounder from 2024-25, currently is averaging 7.4 rebounds per game, which ranks sixth in the BIG EAST. The 6-foot-9 forward has grabbed 10 or more caroms in five games this season and recorded a career-high 15 boards against Providence on Jan. 3.
In December, Ejiofor put up back-to-back monster shot-blocking performances becoming the first player in NCAA Division I to record eight or more blocks in consecutive games since Obinni Anochili-Killen of Marshall did so in November of 2021. Ejiofor posted eight blocks against both Ole Miss (Dec. 6) and Iona (Dec. 13).
The St. John's big man ranks fourth in the BIG EAST and 28th nationally in blocks per game logging 2.0 per contest. Ejiofor has moved into the top-10 all-time in St. John's Men's Basketball history with 128 total blocks over three years in Queens. The team captain surpassed 1986 National Player of the Year Walter Berry (122) in career blocks against Seton Hall on Jan. 20.
Currently, Ejiofor ranks second on the team in steals logging 1.2 per contest. On Jan. 10, he swiped a career-high four steals in the 90-73 victory at Creighton.
No. 25/24 St. John's will be back in action on Tuesday when it travels to take on DePaul at 8 p.m. at Wintrust Arena.
Ejiofor, the BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year, was one of the top 25 players from across the country to be recognized. The Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award will be unveiled during the 2026 Final Four in Indianapolis in early April.
Ejiofor has played an integral role in the Red Storm's defensive efforts this season, anchoring the frontcourt in all 21 games. The Garland, Texas native currently averages 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.2 steals.
The 2025 BIG EAST Most Improved Player has been dominant on the glass this season. The nation's leading offensive rebounder from 2024-25, currently is averaging 7.4 rebounds per game, which ranks sixth in the BIG EAST. The 6-foot-9 forward has grabbed 10 or more caroms in five games this season and recorded a career-high 15 boards against Providence on Jan. 3.
In December, Ejiofor put up back-to-back monster shot-blocking performances becoming the first player in NCAA Division I to record eight or more blocks in consecutive games since Obinni Anochili-Killen of Marshall did so in November of 2021. Ejiofor posted eight blocks against both Ole Miss (Dec. 6) and Iona (Dec. 13).
The St. John's big man ranks fourth in the BIG EAST and 28th nationally in blocks per game logging 2.0 per contest. Ejiofor has moved into the top-10 all-time in St. John's Men's Basketball history with 128 total blocks over three years in Queens. The team captain surpassed 1986 National Player of the Year Walter Berry (122) in career blocks against Seton Hall on Jan. 20.
Currently, Ejiofor ranks second on the team in steals logging 1.2 per contest. On Jan. 10, he swiped a career-high four steals in the 90-73 victory at Creighton.
No. 25/24 St. John's will be back in action on Tuesday when it travels to take on DePaul at 8 p.m. at Wintrust Arena.
Players Mentioned
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