Zuby Ejiofor Named ECAC Player of the Year

3/26/2026 3:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Ejiofor named to All-ECAC First Team; Bryce Hopkins tabbed to second team

DANBURY, Conn.- St. John's men's basketball standout Zuby Ejiofor was named Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Player of the Year. Ejiofor was also an All-ECAC First Team selection and Bryce Hopkins was tabbed a Second Team honoree, the organization announced on Wednesday morning.

Ejiofor adds to his lengthy list of accolades after being tabbed the top player in the region. The forward has strung together a memorable senior campaign guiding the Johnnies into the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999.

The Garland, Texas native leads the Red Storm in scoring (16.3 PPG), rebounding (7.3 RPG), assists (3.5 APG) and blocks per game (2.2 BPG). He is the only player in high-major basketball to lead his team and rank top-10 in the conference in all four of the aforementioned statistical categories.

On the eight game winning streak, Ejiofor is averaging 18.9 points on 58.0% shooting from the floor, 8.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.1 blocks per game. The dominant stretch has included a triple-double against Villanova on Feb. 28, setting the BIG EAST Tournament Championship game record for blocks (7), eight double-digit scoring outings and three double-doubles.

The USBWA and AP All-American Honorable Mention selection has racked up a plethora of awards during his banner 2025-26 campaign. The senior became the first player to win BIG EAST Player, Defensive Player, Scholar-Athlete of the Year and win the Dave Gavitt Trophy as the BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player in the same season. Additionally, he is a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year award.

Hopkins makes the second team after making a statement during his final year of collegiate eligibility in the Big Apple. The graduate student ranks top-15 in the BIG EAST in scoring (13.6 PPG) and rebounding (6.2 RPG). The Oak Park, Ill., native was tabbed to the All-BIG EAST Second Team, the BIG EAST All-Tournament and was an NABC All-District First Team honoree.

The veteran is playing his best basketball in March, as the Johnnies have rattled off eight straight victories and won 21 of their last 22 contests. Hopkins is shooting 10-for-14 (71.4%) from 3-point range over the last three games and set a new program NCAA Tournament single-game record with six made triples in the win over Kansas on Sunday.

The Red Storm will be back in action on Friday night when it takes on top-seeded Duke in the East Regional Semifinal at 7:10 p.m. on CBS in Washington.

ECAC Major Award Winners
Player of the Year
Zuby Ejiofor- St. John's University, Sr., F

Freshman of the Year
Preston Edmead- Hofstra University, Fr., G

Coach of the Year
Shaheen Holloway- Seton Hall University

2026 All-ECAC Men's Basketball Teams

All-ECAC First Team
Zuby Ejiofor – St. John's University, Sr., F
Gavin Doty – Siena College, So., G
Cruz Davis – Hofstra University, Jr., G
Bryce Harris – Howard University, Gr., G
Darin Smith, Jr. – Central Connecticut University, So., F

All-ECAC Second Team
Nasir Whitlock – Lehigh University, Jr., G
Erik Pratt – Stony Brook University, Gr., G
Austin Benigni – Navy, Sr., G
Nick Townsend – Yale University, Sr., F
Bryce Hopkins – St. John's University, Gr., F/G