The Detroit Pistons are looking at Zuby Ejiofor, an intriguing big man out of St. John’s with a non-stop motor
With the 2026 NBA Draft still over three weeks away, the Detroit Pistons have ample time to survey the landscape and target a series of players they believe can be helpful options when they step up to the podium at No. 21. Given that mid-to-late first round selection spot, the Pistons can generally rule out a slew of elite players that aren’t likely to last past the top 10, such as AJ Dybantsa or Caleb Wilson, so that does narrow down the potential pool of prospects a bit further for President of Basketball Operations Trajan Langdon.
Even going a step further, Michigan forwards Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. are commonly mock drafted in the 10-19 range, so it’s possible that the Pistons could make a move for either player if they move up slightly in the first round. But as for players likely to be available if Detroit opts to stay put at 21st overall, Zuby Ejiofor is a big man to consider who has already been in contact with the Pistons during the pre-draft process.
Earlier in the week, the Pistons hosted Ejiofor and Rafael Castro, a center from George Washington, for workouts ahead of next month’s draft. Based on most reports, Ejiofor has landed within the late first round range, but he’s a player that could even slip into the early second round depending on draft day luck (or lack thereof).
Standing at 6-9 and 245 pounds, Ejiofor is considered a tweener big man by most standards, but that is not to say that he’s shy in the paint. Ejiofor made a name for himself at St. John’s due to his relentless presence in the low post, both when attacking the bucket or cleaning the glass. Ejiofor was a constant offensive rebound threat who helped generate extra possessions for the Red Storm, which is a trait that J.B. Bickerstaff heavily covets in the Motor City as well from his frontcourt options. Though Ejiofor lacks the classic size of an NBA center, he possesses Isaiah Stewart-like determination in the paint with the added ability of an outside jumper to help space the floor when not operating in the gritty areas of the court.
Last season, Ejiofor posted 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game throughout 37 starts for St. John’s, showing that he can do a little bit of everything. From a tangible perspective, Ejiofor is a strong power forward with an intangible motor which never shuts off– some players either have one or they don’t. Ejiofor certainly does, and it’s one of the most intriguing aspects to his game. Even without the measurables that typically beget NBA big men, Ejiofor works his way into impactful areas of the court through a high-level understanding of the game and the instinctual timing to carry out clutch maneuvers all game long.
If the Pistons decide to stay where they’re at in the first round (or even trade down), then Detroit could wind up with a high-ceiling, high-motor four who could flex to the five in a pinch, but Ejiofor appears to project as a bowling ball of a power forward at the pro level. The Pistons could benefit from adding depth to their frontcourt since Tobias Harris is entering unrestricted free agency, so perhaps the Ejiofor workout makes sense on multiple levels for a Detroit team that’s looking to get over the hump next year after a surprisingly early exit from the playoffs this season.
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