St. John's University Athletics
Zuby Ejiofor Named BIG EAST Player of the Week
1/5/2026 10:58:00 AM | Men's Basketball
St. John’s senior forward averaged 29.0 points and 12.5 rebounds during two games last week
QUEENS, N.Y. - St. John's men's basketball standout Zuby Ejiofor was named BIG EAST Player of the Week, the league office announced on Monday morning.
Ejiofor turned in a pair of monster statistical performances last week averaging 29.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 8.0 offensive boards and 4.5 assists per game during a 1-1 week for the Red Storm. The senior ranked top-10 in NCAA Division I last week in scoring and rebounding, as well as his offensive rebounding mark over two games led the nation.
The Garland, Texas native racked up a pair of double-doubles and set the Johnnies season-high marks in points, rebounds, assists, made free throws and free throw attempts in contests against Georgetown or Providence. On an individual level, the team captain set or tied personal bests in seven different statistical categories.
On New Year's Eve, Ejiofor went for 25 points, 10 boards and a career-high seven assists in a 95-83 triumph at Georgetown inside Capital One Arena. The big man posted an efficient offensive effort shooting 7-for-9 (77.8%) from the floor and 10-for-13 (76.9%) from the free throw line.
On Saturday, Ejiofor exploded for career-highs of 33 points, 15 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive and 16 drawn fouls during a 77-71 setback to Providence at Madison Square Garden. The Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year delivered 18 points and 10 rebounds in the first half alone and became the first St. John's player to tally over 30 points and 15 rebounds in a single-game since former Johnnie and current San Antonio Spur Julian Champagnie recorded 34 points and 16 boards against DePaul on Jan. 5, 2022. Ejiofor's 11 offensive rebounds currently ties with five other players for the highest single-game total in the country this season.
Ejiofor further stamped his name in the record books in Saturday's contest at MSG as he took 23 free throw attempts against the Friars. That mark ranks second most in St. John's Men's Basketball history trailing only Marcus Hatten, who took 25 free throw attempts against Connecticut on Feb. 9, 2002. It was the most by any BIG EAST player since Marquette's Markus Howard (24) on March 15, 2019. The 2025 BIG EAST Most Improved Player went 14-for-23 (60.9%) from the charity stripe, setting a new personal best in free throws made and attempts. On the year, Ejiofor leads the BIG EAST and ranks top-30 in the country in free throws made (83) and attempts (117).
Through 15 games, Ejiofor tops the team in scoring (15.9 ppg), rebounds (7.9 rpg), assists (3.0 apg) and blocks (2.4 bpg). The veteran has tallied four consecutive double-digit scoring efforts, dating back to Dec. 20 against Kentucky.
The BIG EAST Player of the Week honor marks the second of the season after capturing the award during the first week of the season on Nov. 10. Ejiofor additionally was twice named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Dec. 8 and Dec. 29.
St. John's will be back in action on Tuesday when it will take on Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. on Peacock and NBC Sports Network.
Ejiofor turned in a pair of monster statistical performances last week averaging 29.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 8.0 offensive boards and 4.5 assists per game during a 1-1 week for the Red Storm. The senior ranked top-10 in NCAA Division I last week in scoring and rebounding, as well as his offensive rebounding mark over two games led the nation.
The Garland, Texas native racked up a pair of double-doubles and set the Johnnies season-high marks in points, rebounds, assists, made free throws and free throw attempts in contests against Georgetown or Providence. On an individual level, the team captain set or tied personal bests in seven different statistical categories.
On New Year's Eve, Ejiofor went for 25 points, 10 boards and a career-high seven assists in a 95-83 triumph at Georgetown inside Capital One Arena. The big man posted an efficient offensive effort shooting 7-for-9 (77.8%) from the floor and 10-for-13 (76.9%) from the free throw line.
On Saturday, Ejiofor exploded for career-highs of 33 points, 15 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive and 16 drawn fouls during a 77-71 setback to Providence at Madison Square Garden. The Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year delivered 18 points and 10 rebounds in the first half alone and became the first St. John's player to tally over 30 points and 15 rebounds in a single-game since former Johnnie and current San Antonio Spur Julian Champagnie recorded 34 points and 16 boards against DePaul on Jan. 5, 2022. Ejiofor's 11 offensive rebounds currently ties with five other players for the highest single-game total in the country this season.
Ejiofor further stamped his name in the record books in Saturday's contest at MSG as he took 23 free throw attempts against the Friars. That mark ranks second most in St. John's Men's Basketball history trailing only Marcus Hatten, who took 25 free throw attempts against Connecticut on Feb. 9, 2002. It was the most by any BIG EAST player since Marquette's Markus Howard (24) on March 15, 2019. The 2025 BIG EAST Most Improved Player went 14-for-23 (60.9%) from the charity stripe, setting a new personal best in free throws made and attempts. On the year, Ejiofor leads the BIG EAST and ranks top-30 in the country in free throws made (83) and attempts (117).
Through 15 games, Ejiofor tops the team in scoring (15.9 ppg), rebounds (7.9 rpg), assists (3.0 apg) and blocks (2.4 bpg). The veteran has tallied four consecutive double-digit scoring efforts, dating back to Dec. 20 against Kentucky.
The BIG EAST Player of the Week honor marks the second of the season after capturing the award during the first week of the season on Nov. 10. Ejiofor additionally was twice named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Dec. 8 and Dec. 29.
St. John's will be back in action on Tuesday when it will take on Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. on Peacock and NBC Sports Network.
Players Mentioned
Forward
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