St. John's University Athletics
Zuby Ejiofor Named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
3/9/2026 11:26:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Ejiofor becomes fifth player in St. John’s history to win BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Honors
QUEENS, N.Y. - St. John's Men's Basketball standout Zuby Ejiofor was named the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, the conference office announced on Monday morning.
The honor comes one day after Ejiofor was the lone unanimous selection on the All-BIG EAST First Team and All-BIG EAST Defensive Team.
The Garland, Texas native becomes the fifth St. John's player to ever capture the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year award joining - Posh Alexander (2020-21), Justin Simon (2018-19), Sir'Dominic Pointer (2014-15) and Mark Jackson (1986-87).
Ejiofor earns the recognition as the league's top defender after locking down opponents all season long. The big man anchored the Red Storm's defensive unit that ranks 14th in efficiency according to KenPom.
A proven rim-protector, Ejiofor ranks 27th in NCAA Division I and fourth in the BIG EAST in blocks per game averaging 1.97 per contest. Additionally, he ranks top-25 in the country and third in the league with a career-best 61 blocks. In December, Ejiofor became the fourth player to record eight blocks recording his personal best twice in a row in wins over Ole Miss (Dec. 6) and Iona (Dec. 13). Ejiofor became the first player in NCAA Division I to record eight blocks in back-to-back games since Obinni Anochilli-Killen of Marshall in November 2021.
A force on the glass, Ejiofor ranks sixth in the conference averaging 7.1 rebounds per game. The big man has tallied seven double-digit rebounding performances, including a career-high 15 caroms against Providence on Jan. 3. 116 of the forward's 219 rebounds this season have come on the defensive end.
In addition to his prowess in the post, Ejiofor ranks third on the team averaging 1.2 steals per game. The team captain tallied a career-high four swipes at Creighton on Jan. 10.
Recognized as one of the nation's top defensive players, Ejiofor was one of 15 finalists named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award on Feb. 27.
Top-seeded St. John's will begin the 2026 BIG EAST Tournament presented by JEEP on Thursday at 12 p.m. against the winner of eighth-seeded Butler and ninth-seeded Providence on Peacock.
2026 BIG EAST Individual Awards
BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's
BIG EAST Most Improved Player
Tyler Perkins, Villanova
BIG EAST Sixth Man Award
Devin Askew, Villanova
BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award
Josh Dix, Creighton
The honor comes one day after Ejiofor was the lone unanimous selection on the All-BIG EAST First Team and All-BIG EAST Defensive Team.
The Garland, Texas native becomes the fifth St. John's player to ever capture the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year award joining - Posh Alexander (2020-21), Justin Simon (2018-19), Sir'Dominic Pointer (2014-15) and Mark Jackson (1986-87).
Ejiofor earns the recognition as the league's top defender after locking down opponents all season long. The big man anchored the Red Storm's defensive unit that ranks 14th in efficiency according to KenPom.
A proven rim-protector, Ejiofor ranks 27th in NCAA Division I and fourth in the BIG EAST in blocks per game averaging 1.97 per contest. Additionally, he ranks top-25 in the country and third in the league with a career-best 61 blocks. In December, Ejiofor became the fourth player to record eight blocks recording his personal best twice in a row in wins over Ole Miss (Dec. 6) and Iona (Dec. 13). Ejiofor became the first player in NCAA Division I to record eight blocks in back-to-back games since Obinni Anochilli-Killen of Marshall in November 2021.
A force on the glass, Ejiofor ranks sixth in the conference averaging 7.1 rebounds per game. The big man has tallied seven double-digit rebounding performances, including a career-high 15 caroms against Providence on Jan. 3. 116 of the forward's 219 rebounds this season have come on the defensive end.
In addition to his prowess in the post, Ejiofor ranks third on the team averaging 1.2 steals per game. The team captain tallied a career-high four swipes at Creighton on Jan. 10.
Recognized as one of the nation's top defensive players, Ejiofor was one of 15 finalists named to the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award on Feb. 27.
Top-seeded St. John's will begin the 2026 BIG EAST Tournament presented by JEEP on Thursday at 12 p.m. against the winner of eighth-seeded Butler and ninth-seeded Providence on Peacock.
2026 BIG EAST Individual Awards
BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John's
BIG EAST Most Improved Player
Tyler Perkins, Villanova
BIG EAST Sixth Man Award
Devin Askew, Villanova
BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award
Josh Dix, Creighton
Players Mentioned
Forward
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