Zuby Ejiofor (born April 20, 2004) is an American college basketball player for the St. John's Red Storm of the Big East Conference. He previously played for the Kansas Jayhawks.
Ejiofor attended Garland High School in Garland, Texas, where he averaged 21 points and 13 rebounds per game as a junior. As a senior, he averaged 22 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and two steals per game. Coming out of high school, Ejiofor was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to play college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks.
On December 17, 2022, Ejiofor put up eight points, two rebounds, and a block in a win over Indiana. He finished his freshman season in 2022âÂÂ23 appearing in 25 games, where he averaged 1.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 5.2 minutes per game.
At the end of EjioforâÂÂs freshman year, Kansas head coach Bill Self wanted him to redshirt for a year. Self told Ejiofor and his father, Andy Philachack, that he wasnâÂÂt âÂÂgood enough to start and/or play major minutes on any Big 12 team.â The conversation led Ejiofor to transfer. His father later said: âÂÂThe conversation was pretty serious, Zuby didnâÂÂt like it at all. Basically Zuby was like, âÂÂI didnâÂÂt even get a chance.â Telling him heâÂÂs not good enough to play, that put a fire in (Zuby). It was like, âÂÂAll right Dad, get me out of here.âÂÂâÂÂ
After the season, Ejiofor entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal, and later transferred to play for the St. John's Red Storm. By the end of his time at St. John's, he was projected to be drafted early in the 2nd round of the NBA draft, a level that most Big 12 starters don't reach. In the 2026 NCAA tournament Round of 32, he helped St. JohnâÂÂs beat his former team, Kansas, and his former coach to advance the school to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 25 years.
Before the game, Self said: âÂÂWe didnâÂÂt want him to leave. WeâÂÂre really happy for his success. We just hope it doesnâÂÂt come against us.âÂÂ
In his junior and senior years at St. JohnâÂÂs, Ejiofor led St. JohnâÂÂs to consecutive Big East regular season championships and tournament championships. In his senior year, he was chosen as the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, and the unanimous choice for conference Player of the Year. He was the first St. John's player ever to receive both honors in one year. He was a key reason why St. JohnâÂÂs finished the season ranked number 10 in the country. He was also named the winner of the Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year, making him only the 2nd player in Big East history to win all three awards in one year.
At the time of the academic award, the Big East wrote that: "He is averaging 16.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game for the Red Storm this season. He is the only power conference player to rank top 10 in his respective conference and lead his team in all four of those statistical categories."
In his senior year, Ejiofor was also selected as a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year, and named one of four finalists for the national Naismith Trophy Defensive Player of the Year award, presented at the Final Four. He ranked 2nd in the conference and 18th in the country with 2.2 blocks per game. He also set the record for the most blocked shots in a Big East Tournament Championship game with 7 against Connecticut.
During the 2023-24 season, he averaged 4.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. On December 7, 2024, Ejiofor notched 28 points and 13 rebounds in win against Kansas State. On December 20, he recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds, including the game-winning shot in a 72âÂÂ70 win versus Providence. On February 26, 2025, Ejiofor finished with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists in a victory against Butler. On March 8, he scored 17 points while bringing down 12 rebounds and hitting the game-winning shot in overtime in a win over Marquette. For his performance during the 2024âÂÂ25 season, Ejiofor was named a first-team all-Big East Conference selection.
St. JohnâÂÂs coach Rick Pitino praised Ejiofor, saying: âÂÂZubyâÂÂs always trying to get better. HeâÂÂs always talking about his teammates. HeâÂÂs an all-American off the court because itâÂÂs all about his teammates. ItâÂÂs never about him. HeâÂÂs a huge throwback to what you see with young athletes today. ItâÂÂs never about him. ItâÂÂs always about the teammates. ItâÂÂs always about St. JohnâÂÂs. HeâÂÂs a great throwback. IâÂÂm going to miss him terribly."
During Ejiofor's final Big East tournament, Seton Hall's head coach, Shaheen Holloway, told him: âÂÂZuby, IâÂÂm glad youâÂÂre getting out of the league. Zuby embodies what the Big East is all about. I donâÂÂt like playing against you, but IâÂÂm a big fan of yours.âÂÂ