Staying On Task: Zuby Ejiofor, Male Sports Scholar of the Year

Zuby Ejiofor - Photo Credit: St. John’s Athletics

In 2025, after being named Big East Conference Player of Year, Zuby Ejiofor was happy, but not fully satisfied. He wanted to also earn Big East Scholar- Athlete of the Year. “It meant something to him,” says Eric Rienecker, senior associate athletic director for student services and primary academic advisor for men’s basketball at St. John’s University. “He wanted to achieve that.” 

Ejiofor rejected lucrative name, image and likeness (NIL) offers to transfer, determined to achieve his goals at St. John’s. At the conclusion of this basketball season, St. John’s had earned its second consecutive Big East Championship, and Ejiofor was named Big East Player of the Year, Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Big East Defensive Player of the Year and Big East Scholar-Athlete of the Year. 

“He’s obviously put together many good days and good decisions focused on what he needs to do on the court and what he needs to do off the court to be better,” says Rienecker.

In recognition of his outstanding work on the court, in the classroom and in the community, Zuby Ejiofor has been named the 2026 Arthur Ashe Jr. Male Sports Scholar of the Year. 

With Ejiofor leading the team, the St. John’s Red Storm had its greatest success in many years. He’s thrived on community engagement, including being involved with Community Mayors, an organization that provides recreational therapy for children with special needs. 

“Being able to see the impact that I make in the lives of multiple different people of different ages,” he says. “Over the past two years, I’ve had a lot of interactions — with the school and by myself — it’s been truly special moments for me.” 

Ejiofor arrived at St. John’s his sophomore year after transferring from the University of Kansas. He appreciates the vision that head coach Rick Pitino had for him. Together they have been able to bring St. John’s back to national relevance. 

“I was kind of quiet and kept to myself,” he says. “My sophomore year I was able to learn the system and learn Coach Pitino as a person. Coming into my junior year, he gave me the keys to be able to be the leader of the program. For the past two years, coming out of my shell, talking a whole lot. I’ve always been a person that leads by example, but using my voice a lot more is something that the coaching staff and my teammates respected about me. … I became a vocal point the guys relied on.”

He sets a strong example academically. Rienecker recalls a call from Ejiofor a few hours after the team had won the 2025 Big East Championship. He was doing homework and needed help accessing a textbook.

“When basketball is done, you’ve got to put your eggs in another basket, so think about the future,” he explains. “My parents want me to succeed not just as a basketball player but also in the classroom, so I take it very seriously. I go in, pay attention to the professors and learn everything I’m able to learn in order to have a successful career post-sports.”

In May, he graduates, and then in June Ejiofor will take part in the NBA Draft. After his playing days are done, his goal is to continue a career in the sports world. NIL has enabled him to earn money to take care of himself and his family, and he can envision possibly working with student-athletes around the ever-evolving world of college athletics.

Ejiofor recently posted a list of thank yous on Instagram — to his coaches, teammates, family and St. John’s fans. He ended the post with this: “As I move on to the next chapter of my life, I carry with me the lessons this journey has taught me — discipline, resilience and gratitude. I’m ready to embrace what’s next with the same passion and work ethic.”