The Atlanta Hawks selected Zuby Ejiofor, a forward/center from St. John’s University, with the 23rd overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night at Barclays Center. The 22-year-old becomes the first St. John’s player taken in the first round since 2012 and the first to be drafted at all since 2015, highlighting a renewed spotlight on the program.
Ejiofor’s combination of physicality, versatility, and relentless effort drew praise from Hawks president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh, who described him as a "beast" and a player capable of fitting into playoff-caliber lineups. Though regarded by some as a “tweener” due to his size—listed at 6-foot-8 and 245 pounds, smaller than a traditional center—the Hawks valued Ejiofor’s ability to guard multiple positions, switch defensively, and bring tenacity to a frontcourt that struggled during the team’s recent first-round playoff exit.
Over the past two seasons, Ejiofor emerged as a dominant force in college basketball, particularly in his senior year. He averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game, leading the Big East in all four categories—a rare feat at the high-major level. His accolades include Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors, as well as being a finalist for the national Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award. His development came after limited playing time during his freshman year at Kansas and sophomore season at St. John’s, ultimately helping drive the Red Storm to consecutive Big East regular-season and tournament titles in 2025 and 2026.
St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino, who has seen 32 players he coached drafted overall and Ejiofor become his 18th first-round selection, praised the forward as a "relentless player" and "special, special young man." Pitino had advocated for the New York Knicks, who hold the 24th pick, to select Ejiofor partly due to his familiarity with the program and the proximity of Madison Square Garden to St. John’s home arena. However, the Hawks moved ahead of the Knicks, who traded out of the first round while focusing on managing salary cap concerns.
Ejiofor joins a Hawks roster that includes floor-spacing center Onyeka Okungwu and forwards Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels, aiming to add toughness and versatility to their frontcourt. Hawks officials noted Ejiofor’s high basketball IQ and potential as a developing outside shooter, citing his strong free-throw shooting as an encouraging indicator. Ejiofor himself referenced NBA players like Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo as inspirations for his style of play, emphasizing physicality, creation, and versatility.
Ejiofor was not in attendance at Barclays Center and instead watched the draft with family and friends before speaking to media later this week. He was one of two Hawks first-round picks, alongside point guard Kingston Flemings, taken eighth overall.
Meanwhile, St. John’s has additional draft prospects in forwards Dillon Mitchell and Bryce Hopkins, both considered potential second-round selections as the draft continues.