Zuby Ejiofor Just Made Rick Pitino Look Like a Prophet With His Hawks Debut

The Atlanta Hawks might have found something in Zuby Ejiofor. And Rick Pitino is probably sitting somewhere with a grin you could see from space.

Monday night in Salt Lake City, the former St. John’s star put up 19 points and 15 rebounds in Atlanta’s 82-77 Summer League win over Oklahoma City. It wasn’t just the numbers. It was how he got them. Fighting through double teams, stepping out to hit a three, crashing every board like the rim owed him money. The kind of night that makes you wonder why he fell to No. 23 in the draft.

The “Grown Man” Energy

Ejiofor’s teammates mobbed him after the game, calling him “grown man” over and over. The Hawks’ official social account posted the celebration with a simple caption: “And the fellas were loving it.” The video shows Ejiofor getting swarmed near the bench, which is exactly the kind of reaction you want to see from a rookie in his first professional game.

That high-motor style is what made him a fan favorite at St. John’s. It’s also what convinced Pitino to go all in on him when NBA teams started circling. Pitino publicly endorsed Ejiofor during the predraft process, which for a coach of his stature means something. The kid repaid that faith by helping end the Red Storm’s 27-year Sweet 16 drought and winning Big East Player of the Year along the way.

Ending Another Drought

Ejiofor also snapped an 11-year streak of St. John’s not producing a first-round pick. That’s a stat that jumps out. The program had been a black hole for NBA talent since Maurice Harkless went in 2012, and Ejiofor changed that by himself. He joins a Hawks rookie class headlined by Houston’s Kingston Flemings, but it was the Garland, Texas native who stole the spotlight in the opener.

There’s still a long Summer League ahead, and nobody’s handing out rookie of the year awards in July. But if Monday was any indication, Ejiofor’s game translates. The power, the footwork, the willingness to do the dirty work — none of that takes a break when the lights get brighter. Pitino saw it coming. Now the rest of the league is catching up.