St. John's University Athletics
MEDIA QUOTES: Met Basketball Writers’ Association Awards Dinner
2025 Haggerty Award winner RJ Luis Jr. and junior forward Zuby Ejiofor spoke with the media at the MBWA Awards Dinner on Thursday in Tarrytown, N.Y.
St. John’s forward RJ Luis Jr.:
On what receiving the Haggerty Award means to him…
“I’m obviously a proud representative of the whole entire University of St. John's. It’s great to come here and obviously Zuby is here too. I missed him a little bit, so also trying to come see him.”
On preparing for the NBA Draft…
“I'm back home working out with Ronnie Taylor and my strength and conditioning coaches. We've been getting some good work, just trying to work on my body, because at the next level guys are a lot stronger, a lot bigger. I’m just really trying to be physically prepared and also working out basketball twice a day. Trying to get my jump shot right from the three-point line, which is a big, big aspect of the NBA game today. I am just focusing on getting better as a player and putting in the work.”
On his goals for the next chapter in his basketball career…
“Everybody's dream is to go in the [NBA Draft] First Round. Obviously, just to continue to put in the work and going into the combine. I want to perform at a high level. When I go to the team workouts, I want to show teams what I'm capable of and what type of person I am.”
St John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor:
On the incoming transfer class at St. John’s…
“It's truly special. Obviously, we had a lot of big moves in the portal, so to be able to get those talented guys to just come aboard. They are good guys with good characters, not just special talents on the court. I hosted a couple of those guys, and they seem really excited about the opportunity. It's really special. I'm really excited for this upcoming season.”
On helping the newcomers get acclimated to St. John’s and New York City…
“I just want to get them accustomed to life, the lifestyle, and just do my job as a leader. It doesn't really take a whole lot for them to get accustomed to it, but it's going to be a long process, especially over this off-season.”
On how hungry he is to win this season…
“It’s my final year in college. That's why I'm back. I feel like I have one more special year in me to be a national champion. I'm pretty sure that's everybody else's mindset as well and you can tell it's the coaching staff's mindset as well. We all want to win. We did some really special things last year. We just want to build up on that and just have a chance at the title.”
On the mindset of the new transfer class…
“I feel like these guys are ready to just come into a winning program. Build up on last year. Last year, St. John's was becoming a national story, so guys want to have that feeling. Guys want to have that feeling of just being BIG EAST champs. I'm all for it and I'll be right there helping them and just guiding them throughout the whole new lifestyle of New York.”
On what receiving the Haggerty Award means to him…
“I’m obviously a proud representative of the whole entire University of St. John's. It’s great to come here and obviously Zuby is here too. I missed him a little bit, so also trying to come see him.”
On preparing for the NBA Draft…
“I'm back home working out with Ronnie Taylor and my strength and conditioning coaches. We've been getting some good work, just trying to work on my body, because at the next level guys are a lot stronger, a lot bigger. I’m just really trying to be physically prepared and also working out basketball twice a day. Trying to get my jump shot right from the three-point line, which is a big, big aspect of the NBA game today. I am just focusing on getting better as a player and putting in the work.”
On his goals for the next chapter in his basketball career…
“Everybody's dream is to go in the [NBA Draft] First Round. Obviously, just to continue to put in the work and going into the combine. I want to perform at a high level. When I go to the team workouts, I want to show teams what I'm capable of and what type of person I am.”
St John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor:
On the incoming transfer class at St. John’s…
“It's truly special. Obviously, we had a lot of big moves in the portal, so to be able to get those talented guys to just come aboard. They are good guys with good characters, not just special talents on the court. I hosted a couple of those guys, and they seem really excited about the opportunity. It's really special. I'm really excited for this upcoming season.”
On helping the newcomers get acclimated to St. John’s and New York City…
“I just want to get them accustomed to life, the lifestyle, and just do my job as a leader. It doesn't really take a whole lot for them to get accustomed to it, but it's going to be a long process, especially over this off-season.”
On how hungry he is to win this season…
“It’s my final year in college. That's why I'm back. I feel like I have one more special year in me to be a national champion. I'm pretty sure that's everybody else's mindset as well and you can tell it's the coaching staff's mindset as well. We all want to win. We did some really special things last year. We just want to build up on that and just have a chance at the title.”
On the mindset of the new transfer class…
“I feel like these guys are ready to just come into a winning program. Build up on last year. Last year, St. John's was becoming a national story, so guys want to have that feeling. Guys want to have that feeling of just being BIG EAST champs. I'm all for it and I'll be right there helping them and just guiding them throughout the whole new lifestyle of New York.”