The top three of the 2026 NBA Draft are well known, and two of the top three, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer, are the top forwards in the class. However, outside of Dybantsa and Boozer, there are many other forwards in the draft who provide talent and skill to NBA teams. One particular forward who has seen his draft stock rise is St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor. Despite being undersized, Ejiofor has demonstrated through his play during the college season and at the NBA Draft Combine that he can be a real asset for an NBA franchise. Let’s dive into an evaluation of Zuby Ejiofor in this 2026 NBA Draft profile.
Zuby Ejiofor 2026 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
Ejiofor played for two different teams during his collegiate career. For his freshman season, Ejiofor played for the Kansas Jayhawks under head coach Bill Self. However, he only played a limited role off the bench for Kansas, averaging only 5.1 minutes per game in 25 games played. Ejiofor then transferred to play under head coach Rick Pitino and his St. John’s Red Storm, and spent the rest of his collegiate career with the team.
His sophomore year, and his first year with St. John’s, saw Ejiofor play a similar bench role to his freshman year. However, Ejiofor broke out in his junior season, serving as St. John’s full-time starting forward. He played a major role as the team’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder. He averaged 14.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks in 31.8 minutes per game. Ejiofor shot 57.7% from the field, 22.2% from three, and 70.8% from the free-throw line.
As a major contributor to the 2024-2025 St. John’s team, he helped bring the Red Storm to the NCAA Tournament, where they made it as far as the second round. He received the 2024-2025 Big East Most Improved Player award, made the All-Big East first team, and was selected for the All-Big East Tournament team.
Going into his senior season, Ejiofor became the leader of the team and its best overall player. He statistically improved in almost every single area of his game, particularly showing off his strong defensive abilities. He led the Red Storm to a five-seed berth in the NCAA Tournament. They made it all the way to the Sweet 16, where they fell to the Duke Blue Devils. However, they were able to beat Darryn Peterson and the four-seeded Kansas Jayhawks on the way.
On the season, Ejiofor averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.1 blocks in 30 minutes per game. Ejiofor made the 2026 All-Big East first team, the All-Big East Tournament team, and the Big East All-Defense team. He was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year and the Big East Player of the Year. Furthermore, he was named the Big East Tournament MVP.
Strengths
Offense
The 2026 NBA Draft prospect has shown promise on the offensive end in multiple ways. Ejiofor has demonstrated himself to be a strong play-finisher and screener, operating well as the roller in the pick-and-roll. In fact, he scored 1.16 points per those kinds of possessions. He uses his strength and athleticism to dive hard at the rim, where he can throw down powerful dunks. His mobility also helps him be an excellent transition scorer who can race opposing forwards and bigs down the floor. Furthermore, his strength helps him be a solid wall as a screener. Ejiofor is also a talented offensive rebounder who can consistently score second-chance points.
While not the most skilled post player, Ejiofor does use his physicality, quickness, and athleticism to outmuscle and break down opposing players in the post. He can also face up to the basket and drive the ball. His physicality helps him get to the free-throw line at an incredible 69.4% rate, which is at the 95th percentile among big men. He can knock down those free throws at a solid percentage, shooting 71.8% from the line. Speaking of shooting, Ejiofor has shown some flashes of becoming a three-point shooter. He has a decent shooting form, and that is a good starting point in terms of developing his shot.
His most intriguing offensive skill is his impressive passing for his position. He averaged 3.5 assists per game, which sits at an excellent 97th percentile. Ejiofor has the court vision and passing ability to find open teammates, especially if he is pressuring opposing defenses with his own scoring. His aforementioned screening also helps in creating open looks for his teammates, and he is an excellent passer in the short roll. His ability to pass the ball is highlighted in his highly impressive 23% assist rate and 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio, both of which sit at the 97th percentile. Ejiofor is excellent at making quick reads against the defense, especially when finding cutters.
Defense
For Ejiofor, the defensive side of the floor is easily where a major portion of his draft stock lies. Despite being undersized, Ejiofor is an athletic, mobile, and high-end defender who has high defensive versatility. He can cover multiple positions, having the strength and wingspan to contend with bigger players while also having the mobility and athleticism to defend smaller perimeter players. Speaking of the perimeter, Ejiofor is capable of switching out onto the perimeter.
His strength allows him to handle the physicality of defending the interior, and his length helps him bother or alter the shots of opposing players. Specifically, Ejiofor is great at using his seven-foot-two wingspan to be a great defensive playmaker. He averaged 1.2 steals and 2.1 blocks per game this season, which shows how productive he is on the defensive side of the floor.
In fact, he had a great 2.2 steal percentage and 7.2 block percentage, which sit at the 83rd and 80th percentile, respectively. He knows exactly when and where to make a big defensive play, highlighting his basketball IQ and feel on the defensive end. He is great at using his athleticism to make highlight blocks as both a primary defender and a weakside shot blocker. Furthermore, Ejiofor uses that length well to bother passing lanes. Another thing that needs to be highlighted about his defense is Ejiofor’s rebounding. The 2026 NBA Draft prospect uses his strength, athleticism, and wingspan well to carve out position underneath the ball and fight for boards.
Weaknesses
Offense
While Ejiofor has many qualities that make him an impressive 2026 NBA Draft prospect, he does have several deficiencies on the offensive end. One area of concern for Ejiofor is his lack of consistent shooting, especially at his size. He is a solid-enough free-throw shooter at 71.8%. However, he isn’t a consistent floor-spacer beyond the arc at just 30.5%, which may make it difficult to play him at the four. Even if Ejiofor is slotted at center, having poor shooting at his size is going to complicate lineups offensively.
It is critical that Ejiofor becomes at least a league-average shooter, as it will open up the rest of his game and make him far more versatile. There is a decent foundation to build on in terms of his shot, but Ejiofor needs to work on it.
Additionally, Ejiofor’s efficiency in the paint isn’t that great, and his overall shot creation ability is lacking. For his shot diet, which is largely in the paint, Ejiofor hasn’t demonstrated the best touch around the rim at a decent, but not fabulous, 63%. He is also an underwhelming shot creator and post-up player. His ball-handling ability, while intriguing for his position and playstyle, still needs tightening up, as he can turn over the ball on drives. Specifically, he turned the ball over 2.1 times per game this season.
In terms of his post offense, Ejiofor only has his strength and basic skills to rely on, which will not fly in the league. He lacks the footwork and ball-handling to effectively create efficient offense for himself in the post. Ejiofor needs to clean up his handle and continue to refine his post moves to be more effective around the rim. Such developments will help him be better as an offensive player, and it will help his efficiency.
Defense
The clearest issue with Ejiofor on the defensive end is his overall size. While he is a sturdy forward at six-foot-seven and a half barefoot with a large seven-foot-two wingspan, he simply isn’t that tall for his position and playstyle. There will be matchups against the bigger centers that Ejiofor will have a tough time dealing with. Nevertheless, getting even stronger than he already is will help him make those matchups slightly easier.
NBA Comparison
In terms of an NBA comparison for Ejiofor, there are a few names that come to mind. Specifically, Ejiofor’s overall physical traits and skill set are reminiscent of players like Collin Murray-Boyles, Isaiah Stewart, and Paul Reed. Each of them is an undersized forward who utilizes their strength and skill to have an impact on both ends of the floor. All four forwards possess excellent physical gifts and athleticism that they use to full effect to be great defenders.
2026 NBA Draft Projection
Late first to early second-round pick.
Featured Image: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
