Zuby Wins Big East Defensive Player of the Year Honors

 

Zuby Ejiofor closing in on a three-point shooter last Tuesday night against Georgetown. Photo by Jason Schott.

St. John's star Zuby Ejiofor was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year, soon after he was also the lone unanimous selection for the All-Big East First Team and All-Big East Defensive Team.

Ejiofor has been a monster on the glass all year, as he notched double digits in rebounds seven times this year, and ranks sixth in the Big East with 7.1 rebounds per game. 

One incredible stat is that out of Ejiofor's 219 rebounds this season, it's nearly 50/50 on each end, with 116 on the defensive end, with 103 on offense. 

Ejiofor ranked fourth in the Big East, and 27th in NCAA Division 1, in blocks per game, with 1.97 per game. His 61 blocks rank third in the Big East and top-25 in the nation. In December, he put up a career-high eight blocks in back-to-back games, in wins against Ole Miss on December 6 and Iona on December 13.

In addition, he also has 1.2 steals per game, third-best on the Red Storm. He had a career high four steals in a win at Creighton on January 10.

Zuby becomes the fifth St. John's player to win Big East Defensive Player of the Year, along with Mark Jackson in 1986-87, Sir'Dominic Pointer in 2014-15, Justin Simon (2018-19), and Posh Alexander (2020-21). Aside from Jackson's, St. John's has now had four winners in the past twelve years.

On February 27, Ejiofor was selected as one of 15 finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, which recognizes the best across the nation.