Transfer over Chris Mullin, Walter Berry and Malik Sealy. Ejiofor’s masterclass resulted within the highest-scoring efficiency by a St. John’s participant in Massive East Match historical past and the highest-scoring output by any participant in a Massive East Match semifinal recreation since Kemba Walker again in 2011.
St John’s Zuby Ejiofor finishes and-1 to increase lead in opposition to Marquette
St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino has described his staff as a bunch that “goes in opposition to numerous numbers,” and in a manner, that matches Ejiofor, who was discovered by likelihood within the AAU ranks by a person who grew to become his mentor and who he calls his second father, Dr. Andy Philachack.
Philachack was a coach on the AAU circuit who approached Ejiofor after a recreation and instructed him that if he performed along with his son on their staff, he would assist him rework his recreation.
So when Ejiofor was on the lookout for a second school vacation spot, it was Philachack who instructed him to look lengthy and laborious at Pitino. Philachack knew the Corridor of Famer’s pedigree of creating the likes of Billy Donovan, Tony Delk, Peyton Siva, Donovan Mitchell and so many extra. He wished that for his different son.
“When Zuby got here in, I put him by a tough participant growth session,” Pitino stated. “Very first thing I seen is he by no means complained concerning the drills. He went by it.
“Each coach needs to have a participant like [Zuby]: selfless, and he simply cares concerning the staff. You get blessed in teaching him. I have been teaching 50 years, and there are only a few Zubys that come alongside that simply take into consideration the staff.”
When Ejiofor made the choice to decide to Pitino and the Red Storm, Self instructed him that he was getting a tough employee and a fantastic child, however that the offense wanted work. A couple of weeks later, Pitino started sending Self video messages of Ejiofor working with him and making photographs. It was a strategy to joke with Self, but in addition present the evolution of his switch portal addition.
The event in Ejiofor’s recreation was on full show Friday night time when he put St. John’s up 10 with 12:42 left on a layup off a turnover. He despatched Madison Sq. Backyard right into a frenzy minutes later, throwing down an exclamation-point dunk with 5:26 left to place the Johnnies up 14. For Ejiofor, it was not solely a masterclass, however a response following a recreation by which he solely scored 4 factors on 2-of-4 capturing.
“I simply depart the previous up to now,” Ejiofor stated. “Clearly, I did not play to the extent of my play and to the usual that Coach [Pitino] and everyone anticipated of me. So, I simply got here out extra aggressive as we speak and my teammates have been capable of finding me in conditions the place I might be profitable.
“Once we’re taking part in off one another and when everyone is basically locked in defensively, we’re a very scary staff.”
Sure, Pitino’s Johnnies are certainly scary for the remainder of the Massive East, and each different staff all through school basketball. They’re an elite defensive group, holding Marquette to simply 2-of-24 from 3-point vary after the Golden Eagles began the sport 4-of-5 from downtown.
“We simply hate to lose, and that is often because one man who hates it greater than something on the planet,” Ejiofor stated in reference to Pitino.
That hatred for defeat and starvation to rise to the highest is what has led New York Metropolis to fall in love with this St. John’s staff. It is also what has the Pink Storm 40 minutes away from profitable one other trophy.
John Fanta is a nationwide school basketball broadcaster and author for FOX Sports activities. He covers the game in a wide range of capacities, from calling video games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Community to offering commentary on The Subject of 68 Media Community. Comply with him at @John_Fanta.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.
School Basketball
St. John’s Pink Storm
Marquette Golden Eagles
Get extra from School Basketball Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
