Late in St. John’s additional time win over Xavier on Wednesday, Zuby Ejiofor was seen getting on Ruben Prey for being gradual to field out on a made free throw.
It was the most recent instance of the junior ahead’s growth as a pacesetter.
The affable Ejiofor is letting his voice be heard extra as he has emerged as the most effective gamers within the Massive East this season.
“I try to be a more vocal leader on the court for the rest of the guys,” he stated 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 in every of three co-captains, together with Kadary Richmond and Sadiku Ibine Ayo, the 6-foot-9 Ejiofor arguably has been the Johnnies’ MVP by 20 video games.
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He’s the staff chief in rebounds (8.2) and blocked pictures (1.9), and is second in scoring (14.6).
He is also No. 2 within the nation in offensive rebounds per sport 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 in the past.
St. John’s flirted with including a starting-caliber massive man within the switch portal within the spring however as an alternative opted for high-ceiling 7-1 middle Vince Iwuchukwu from USC.
There was some thought Iwuchukwu may begin after he picked St. John’s in April, but it surely grew to become clear in summer season exercises that Ejiofor could be the man.
“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 stated. “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 greatest contribution is on the defensive finish because the spine to the Johnnies’ fifth-ranked protection by way of effectivity.
Ejiofor is a top quality rim protector who can also swap out on guards and defend on the perimeter. Xavier coach Sean Miller raved about how uncommon that’s for an enormous man.
Ejiofor credited his capacity to protect exterior of the paint to his footwork.
“[Pitino] says no 3s, no paint [touches],” Ejiofor stated. “I take pride in keeping guys in front and sliding my feet and being able to switch one through five when it comes.”
