Daniss Jenkins could see the signs.
Back in 2023-24, Zuby Ejiofor was an unheralded sophomore buried on the St. John’s depth chart, yet the 6-9 forward/center practiced with the intention and intensity of an indispensable starter.
“I always knew that his determination and his work ethic were second to none,” Jenkins, now a point guard for the Detroit Pistons, told the Daily News recently.
“Most guys don’t really like practice, and especially [head coach Rick] Pitino’s practice. Like, ‘Oh, we practice too much. We go live too much.’ But he showed up every single day and got after it. I don’t think he missed one practice.”
Fast forward to present day, and Ejiofor is nearing the end of a decorated career that will go down as one of the best ever by a St. John’s player.
Entering Tuesday’s senior night against Georgetown at Madison Square Garden, Ejiofor ranks first in school history in advanced metrics such as Player Efficiency Rating (25.1); win shares per 40 minutes (.223); and box plus/minus (10.5).
But even more importantly, Ejiofor has been the centerpiece of the Red Storm’s resurgence under Pitino — a dramatic turnaround in which St. John’s transformed from a national afterthought to a championship contender.
“I became a man in this program,” Ejiofor said. “Coach Pitino, for the last three years now, has been guiding me through this whole process, not just with the game of basketball, but just life in general. I’m really blessed to be able to put on this jersey each and every night.”
Ejiofor, who hails from Garland, Texas, spent his freshman season at Kansas in 2022-23 but hardly played, averaging only 5.1 minutes per game over 25 appearances.
He was part of Pitino’s first transfer class at St. John’s in 2023, yet other newcomers that offseason such as Jenkins, Jordan Dingle, RJ Luis Jr. and Chris Ledlum attracted more attention.
Ejiofor carved out a minimal role in his first season at St. John’s, averaging 4.3 points in 11.2 minutes per game over 33 appearances, including one start, while playing behind center Joel Soriano.
But Ejiofor remained patient, grinding behind the scenes to prepare for his opportunity.
“I know I can count on him giving it every single day, in every player development [session],” Pitino said. “Look how much he’s improved his 3-point shooting, his foul shooting, his passing. He was an awful passer when he first came here. Now he’s a great passer. He’s improved immensely because of working hard.”
Ejiofor’s opportunity finally came last season, when he became a full-time starter as a junior and quickly established himself as a difference-maker on both ends.
His high-effort rebounding and tenacious shot-blocking became the focal point of the Red Storm’s gritty identity.
His bruising style made him a nightmare to defend.
And his accountability and intensity made him a valued leader in the St. John’s locker room.
St. John’s went 31-5, winning its first outright Big East regular season championship since 1985 and its first conference tournament title since 2000. The Red Storm’s trip to the NCAA Tournament marked their first berth since 2019.
And although that dream season ended in the second round, Ejiofor showed up in the Red Storm’s 75-66 loss to Arkansas, scoring 23 points with 11 rebounds.
That capped a season in which Ejiofor averaged 14.7 and 8.1 rebounds — including an NCAA-best 4.4 offensive rebounds — and earned first-team All-Big East honors.
Ejiofor was a big reason why St. John’s opened this season ranked No. 5 in AP poll. He was the Big East coaches’ preseason pick to be conference’s player of the year — an award he is now a favorite to win as the regular season nears its end.
Indeed, Ejiofor has upped his play this season, averaging 15.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game for No. 18 St. John’s.
After a rare clunker in which he managed only six points and four rebounds in last week’s historic 72-40 loss to UConn, Ejiofor responded Saturday night with his first-ever triple-double.
He totaled 16 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists in the Red Storm’s bounce-back 89-57 win over Villanova.
“[Pitino] has the perfect player in Zuby,” Villanova head coach Kevin Willard said afterward. “Zuby and him really match so well together, and I think that’s why they’ve been so successful.”
With wins in its final two games, St. John’s (23-6; 16-2 in conference play) would clinch at least a share of the Big East regular season championship.
The Red Storm are on their way to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons.
Not coincidentally, Ejiofor is the only starter who returned from last year’s tournament team to this one.
“[He] never once considered going to another school,” Pitino said. “His father said to me, ‘You know, somebody offered us double what you’re paying him.’ And I didn’t get a chance to respond, to even ask him what the amount of money was. He said, ‘But we never go anywhere. We’re with you, Coach P.’ And that in itself, to me, meant the world.”
Tuesday’s meeting with Georgetown is technically Ejiofor’s final St. John’s home game, though he will play at the Garden again next week in the Big East Tournament.
And while Ejiofor won’t be the only outgoing senior honored during Tuesday’s pregame ceremony, his cheers will surely be the loudest.
“I feel like I literally grew up here the past three years,” Ejiofor said. “I remember coming in so nervous. It was Coach Pitino and St. John’s, trying to perform. I made a lot of mistakes. I still make a lot of mistakes, but I’m able to play through it, and obviously that’s a testament to the amount of work that I put in.”
Ejiofor’s time at St. John’s could continue all the way into early April, should the Red Storm advance to the Final Four as they hope. The attention then turns to the NBA Draft, with Ejiofor currently ranking No. 36 on ESPN’s prospect big board.
But whenever Ejiofor’s St. John’s career does come to an end, it will be too soon for Pitino.
“I’m gonna miss the hell out of him,” Pitino said.
