As the 23rd overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, forward Zuby Ejiofor joins the Atlanta Hawks after three sensational seasons at St. John's University.
Ejiofor was the Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year last season, averaging 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals. He became the first unanimous Big East Player of the Year since Doug McDermott in 2013-14.
The 6-foot-9 Ejiofor also earned the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award as the top center in the country. He was the only high-major player to lead his team and rank in the top 10 in his conference in scoring, rebounding, assists and blocks.
Ejiofor debuted with the Hawks in summer league, averaging 13 points, nine rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and
one block in four games. He finished in double figures three times, including a 19-point, 15-rebound effort on July 6 in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The 22-year-old joined the Hawks as a highly touted prospect following a tremendous run in college. The team was ecstatic to add him and is eager to see him take the court next season.
Throughout September, Rookie Wire is compiling some of the most interesting facts about each first-round pick in an effort to further introduce the incoming draft class ahead of the 2026-27 season
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Chukwuebuka Ejiofor
A Texas native with Nigerian-born parents, his real name is Chukwuebuka Ejiofor. His mother nicknamed him "Zuby" because it was easier to pronounce. He traveled back and forth between the United States and Nigeria while growing up and didn't start playing basketball full-time until the eighth grade.
Brothers
Ejiofor has four siblings: Emmanuel, Ugo, Chuks and Dubem. His brother, Ugo, played basketball at Coastal Bend College, Temple College and Waldorf University. While he outgrew Ugo before arriving in college, Emmanuel is the tallest in the family.
High School
Ejiofor attended Garland High School in Texas, averaging 21.7 points, 13 rebounds, 3.9 blocks and 1.9 steals as a senior. He was a TABC 6A All-State selection that year after leading his team to a 26-2 record and the district regular-season title.
Kansas
Ejiofor played for coach Bill Self at Kansas as a freshman, averaging just 1.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 25 appearances. After playing sparingly, Ejiofor transferred and found a home at St. John's. Ejiofor got a bit of revenge of sorts after leading the Red Storm to a victory over the Jayhawks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament earlier this year, finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds.
St. John's
Ejiofor became the first Red Storm player drafted since Sir’Dominic Pointer was selected with the 53rd overall pick in 2015. He joined teammate Dillon Mitchell (40th overall) in hearing their names called, marking the first time since 2000 that St. John’s had multiple players selected in the same draft.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 5 fun facts: Get to know Hawks rookie Zuby Ejiofor before 2026-27 year
