2026 NBA Draft Scouting Report for Atlanta Hawks' No. 23 Pick Zuby Ejiofor

The Atlanta Hawks have officially selected Zuby Ejiofor with the No. 23 pick in the 2026 NBA draft.

Known for energy and activity entering the season, Ejiofor turned into a coveted NBA prospect by complementing his motor with improved offensive skills.

His identity will always revolve around physicality, hustle, and defense. But Ejiofor now looks more serviceable to an NBA team after becoming a more threatening shooter, post scorer and passer.

With excellent physical tools and analytics that validate his impact, Ejiofor suddenly looks like one of the safer, higher-floor prospects outside the lottery.

Zuby Ejiofor Highlights

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Essential Facts, Stats, Combine Measurements

College: St. John's | Position: PF/C | Age: 22 | Height: 6'7.5" | Weight: 245.2 lbs | Wingspan: 7'2" | PPG: 16.3 | RPG: 7.3 | APG: 3.5 | BPG: 2.1 | SPG: 1.2 | FG%: 53.6 | 3PT%: 30.5 | FT%: 71.8

Realistic Pro Comparison: Jaylin Williams

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Like Jaylin Williams, Zuby Ejiofor impacts winning through his feel for the game, unselfishness and ability to keep the ball moving within an offense. Both are connective frontcourt players who make quick decisions and create value without needing plays called for them.

Both players rely on toughness and effort to compete against bigger opponents in the paint. Ejiofor, like Williams, generates extra possessions through offensive rebounding and does much of his work through screening, hustle plays, and interior physicality.

Neither player is an explosive shot creator or a high-level above-the-rim athlete who consistently overwhelms defenders with size or athleticism. Their offensive value depends heavily on complementary skills.

Strengths

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Strength 1: Interior scoring/rebounding

Ejiofor's most dominant offensively using his strength and touch around the rim. He's skilled at playing with his back to the basket and physical under the offensive glass, where he racked up 39 putbacks this season. He's also become more of a face-up threat around the key.

Strength 2: Passing

A 23.0 assist percentage nearly tripled last year's rate. He makes smart passing reads in half-court sets, which plays to his newer identity as a valuable connective piece offensively.

Strength 3: Defensive activity

Ejiofor covers a lot of defensive ground with his quickness, leaping and 7'2" wingspan. He'll be a two-way energizer who can force turnovers and make plays on the ball, having just 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals.

Weaknesses

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Weakness 1: Creating

Ejiofor won't offer much off the dribble. He's not a threat to push the break, and in the half court, he can't pull up into jumpers. He converted just 38.2 percent of his drives.

Weakness 2: Shooting

There have been some signs of improved shooting, but for a four-year college player, this year's 18 threes weren't very convincing. He may require a frontcourt partner who can stretch the floor for the lineup to provide enough spacing.

Weakness 3: Upside

Though he could work as a small-ball 5 against certain teams, he's more of a forward—only he doesn't handle or shoot often. It's difficult to picture any pathways to a high-upside outcome.