St. John’s senior forward Zuby Ejiofor is surging up 2026 NBA Draft boards following a historic collegiate season and elite physical testing. The 22-year-old big man recently completed a private pre-draft workout with the Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia is actively evaluating Ejiofor for the No. 22 overall selection, acquired via the Jared McCain trade, as they look to secure a physical defensive anchor behind Joel Embiid.
Ejiofor silenced critics who labeled him an undersized center during his official combine testing in Chicago. He measured 6-foot-7.5 barefoot with a sprawling 7-foot-2 wingspan and weighed in at a sturdy 245 pounds. He posted a 38-inch max vertical and led all frontcourt prospects in the shuttle run. The senior also improved his offensive grade by shooting over 50 percent in spot-up and off-the-dribble formats.
His pre-draft momentum directly follows an unprecedented campaign under head coach Rick Pitino. Ejiofor became the first player in college basketball history to sweep the Big East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards in a single season. He averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game.
The St. John’s standout capped off his collegiate career by leading the Red Storm to the Big East Tournament Championship and a run to the Sweet 16. During that postseason stretch, he dismantled the Duke frontcourt with a 17-point, eight-rebound, and six-assist performance. Evaluators highlight his defensive versatility as his premier asset for the professional level. His frame allows him to battle true centers in the paint, while his lateral agility lets him switch onto perimeter guards. Offensively, he profiles as a high-energy rim-runner and short-roll facilitator, though his three-point consistency remains a developmental focus.