Hawks secure Ejiofor with 23rd pick, ending St. John’s draft drought
Zuby Ejiofor’s selection by Atlanta marks the end of an 11-year absence from the NBA draft for St. John’s University, following a historic senior season in the Big East.
The Atlanta Hawks have selected St. John’s University forward Zuby Ejiofor with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NBA draft. The selection, made on Tuesday, ends an 11-year draft drought for the Red Storm program, marking the first time a St. John’s player has been selected since Sir’Dominic Pointer in 2015. It also represents the program’s first opening-round selection since Moe Harkless in 2012.
Ejiofor enters the professional ranks as one of the most decorated players in St. John’s history. During his senior season, he averaged 16.3 points on 53.6 per cent shooting, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game. He was the only high-major player to lead his team in scoring, field goal percentage, rebounds, assists, and blocks per game last season.
His collegiate career culminated in a historic campaign where he led St. John’s to both Big East regular season and tournament championships, a double the program had never achieved previously. Ejiofor became the first player in Big East history to win Conference Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and Tournament Most Outstanding Player in the same season.
Originally a four-star recruit who committed to Kansas, Ejiofor transferred to St. John’s and developed into a two-time team captain. His arrival in Atlanta adds depth to a Hawks frontcourt that includes Onyeka Okongwu, Asa Newell, and Mouhamed Gueye. The Hawks recently defied expectations following the mid-season trade of Trae Young, entering the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference before losing to the New York Knicks in six games.
The selection concludes a period where several notable St. John’s stars, including D’Angelo Harrison, Shamorie Ponds, Julian Champagnie, Joel Soriano, and R.J. Luis, went undrafted. Ejiofor’s transition to the NBA follows a tenure where he carried the team to its first NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1999.
