Brooklyn shouldn't just box itself in with focusing on only the first round. Here's why Zuby Ejiofor can ignite the franchise as a possible late pick.
The Brooklyn Nets have a local talent they can observe ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Yes, AJ Dybantsa of BYU is intriguing and likely will sell tickets. But the franchise must land at No. 1 to pull him in.
We presented Keaton Wagler of Illinois as another strong possibility, citing his deep Final Four run as one reason. Plus mentioned Houston star Kingston Flemings as a valuable option if neither Wagler or Dybantsa are taken.
But Nets Roundtable is also thinking about the late round talents. Sometimes a draft gem rises outside of the lottery picks.
Zuby Ejiofor of St. John's rises as one to monitor closely, especially since he starred at nearby Queens, NY. In observing him closer, Ejiofor brings lots of intrigue for these reasons we're presenting.
Versatile, Powerful
The Red Storm star is built more for forward at 6-foot-9.
Yet legendary national champion winning head coach Rick Pitino trusted Ejiofor at center.
Not many 6-foot-9 talents can handle the middle rigors of center. Ejiofor dished out the punishment, though, playing in one of the nation's most rugged conferences the Big East.
He carried that brute force into March Madness, especially posting up against Kansas:
Dylan Darling's buzzer beater stole the show. Yet many who watched St. John's versus Kansas can argue Ejiofor's presence and physicality kept the Storm in the game.
Ejiofor continued the mean streak into the Sweet 16, punishing a fellow 6-foot-9 talent in Duke's Maliq Brown down low.
Ejiofor may have lacked size for center. But he overpowered foes with his NFL-like tight end frame.
Pure Hustle
Teams, including the Nets, must love this next aspect of Ejiofor's game.
He's a hustle player -- meaning teams running the fast break aren't guaranteed to be safe facing him. UConn learned that during this sequence:
Ejiofor swats the ball violently with an average of 2.2 per game. He's equally impactful without needing to resort to swatting the basket.
Ejiofor covers 94 feet and follows his assignment all the way through, forcing the turnover against Northern Iowa. This is equivalent to an NFL cornerback following the tall deep target down the field and forcing the incompletion. Except this CB is carrying a 6-foot-9, 245-pound frame and moves so fluidly.
Nets general manager Sean Marks and head coach Jordi Fernandez should fawn over a defensive play like that.
Fit for Nets?
Ejiofor feels like a defensive need here.
Except he emerged as a high volume scorer who can even shoot deep.
Ejiofor isn't the quickest on the floor and won't always win his blow bys. He's settled for post up baskets and taking advantage of spacing under the rim for dunks. The Big East Player of the Year isn't a strong shot creator either, hence why he's not labeled a top 10 pick.
But he'll become immense help for a front court that needs it. Ejiofor's defensive energy can improve a defense needing a new rim protector. He's a gift if he falls in the second round, or is worth trading up for late in the first round.