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Late in St. John’s overtime win over Xavier on Wednesday, Zuby Ejiofor was seen getting on Ruben Prey for being slow to box out on a made free throw.
It was the latest example of the junior forward’s development as a leader.
The affable Ejiofor is letting his voice be heard more as he has emerged as one of the best players in the Big East this season.
“I try to be a more vocal leader on the court for the rest of the guys,” he said over Zoom on Thursday. “I’ve always been a leader by example, but coming out of my comfort zone and being able to be vocal and tell the rest of the guys that this is a really good opportunity we can’t let slip up. Every single game, we’re going to get the best of every single team. I just piggyback on what Coach [Rick] Pitino is really saying.”
One of three co-captains, along with Kadary Richmond and Sadiku Ibine Ayo, the 6-foot-9 Ejiofor arguably has been the Johnnies’ MVP through 20 games.
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He is the team leader in rebounds (8.2) and blocked shots (1.9), and is second in scoring (14.6).
He also is No. 2 in the country in offensive rebounds per game at 4.5. The numbers are a “little bit of a surprise,” even to him.
Ejiofor has been a revelation as a two-way difference-maker after backing up Joel Soriano a season ago.
St. John’s flirted with adding a starting-caliber big man in the transfer portal in the spring but instead opted for high-ceiling 7-1 center Vince Iwuchukwu from USC.
There was some thought Iwuchukwu could start after he picked St. John’s in April, but it became clear in summer workouts that Ejiofor would be the guy.
“That’s a testament to the amount of work I put in, and obviously Coach Pitino’s player development sessions helped a lot as well,” Ejiofor said. “But this year, I was just going to come in with the utmost confidence in my game to do the things I know I’m capable of doing. “I don’t get too many post touches or anything of that nature, which I for one don’t care about. I just come out and try to play the hardest I can and outwork anybody in front of me.”
His biggest contribution is on the defensive end as the backbone to the Johnnies’ fifth-ranked defense in terms of efficiency.
Ejiofor is a quality rim protector who also can switch out on guards and defend on the perimeter. Xavier coach Sean Miller raved about how rare that is for a big man.
Ejiofor credited his ability to guard outside of the paint to his footwork.
“[Pitino] says no 3s, no paint [touches],” Ejiofor said. “I take pride in keeping guys in front and sliding my feet and being able to switch one through five when it comes.”
