Zuby Ejiofor much more than just most improved in record-setting performance for No. 6 St. John's

NEW YORK (AP) — Maybe most improved didn't really do Zuby Ejiofor justice.

The junior forward delivered an overpowering performance Friday night for No. 6 St. John's, scoring a career-best 33 points — a school record in the Big East Tournament — as the Red Storm rolled into the conference championship game for the first time in 25 years with a 79-63 victory over No. 25 Marquette.

“The big dog over here just was tremendous. Last night, he got a little frustrated because he didn’t get the ball much, and tonight he just showed unbelievable leadership every timeout,” St. John's coach Rick Pitino said.

“I don’t know what was better, his play or his leadership tonight. They were both pretty extraordinary.”

After winning the Big East Most Improved Player award this season, Ejiofor took only four shots Thursday in a 78-57 quarterfinal blowout of Butler, finishing with four points and seven rebounds.

In truth, the Johnnies didn't need much from him in that one. But they fell behind by 15 early against fifth-seeded Marquette in the semifinals — before Ejiofor took over.

Dominating the Golden Eagles down low and running the floor with abandon, the Kansas transfer from Garland, Texas, went 11 of 15 from the field with an array of purposeful post moves and thunderous dunks. He shot 11 for 12 at the foul line.

The team co-captain added nine rebounds and three assists in 38 minutes, providing just the boost St. John's (29-4) needed to pull away and win easily in the end. He scored six of the Red Storm's first nine points in the second half — and 11 straight for the Johnnies to help them open a 64-54 lead with 7:42 left.

“He keeps us going all the time, whether it’s bad or good,” teammate Aaron Scott said. “He stays solid. He never gets too low, never gets too high. Stays sane, and that’s what we need each and every game, and that’s what he brings.”

When he came out off the court with seconds left, the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Ejiofor grinned as he received handshakes from teammates, and the sold-out Madison Square Garden crowd let loose with a chorus of “Zooooooob!!”

“It was just an amazing feeling, and I got it early. I just want to thank my coaching staff and my teammates for putting me in the position to be successful,” said Ejiofor, also a first-team All-Big East selection this season. “They told me to come out and be a lot more aggressive than I did last game, and that’s exactly what I did. So I just want to give all the props to them.”

It was the most points for a player in a Big East semifinal since Kemba Walker scored 33 for UConn against Syracuse in 2011. Ejiofor also became the first St. John's player since Walter Berry in 1986 with at least 30 points and nine rebounds in a postseason game.

Ejiofor set his previous career high with 28 points against Kansas State on Dec. 7, but he was a particular thorn in Marquette's side as St. John's swept all three meetings this season.

That included an 86-84 overtime victory in Milwaukee last weekend on Ejiofor's buzzer-beater in the lane.

“Zuby Ejiofor was the best player on the floor. He was terrific today,” Golden Eagles coach Shaka Smart said Friday night.

Coming off the program's first outright Big East regular-season title in 40 years, the Johnnies hold the top seed at the conference tournament for the first time since 1986.

Seeking their fourth Big East Tournament championship and first since 2000, they'll play Saturday night against second-seeded Creighton, a 71-62 winner over No. 3 seed UConn in the semifinals.

“It’s been a crazy ride,” Ejiofor said. “We want to be in these moments."

Ejiofor played little as a freshman at Kansas, averaging 5.2 minutes in 25 games, before leaving for St. John's when Pitino took over. Last season, Ejiofor was an energetic and useful backup to Red Storm center Joel Soriano, himself a winner of the Big East Most Improved Player award and a second-team all-conference choice in 2023.

After averaging 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds a year ago, Ejiofor grew into a much larger role this season and became a huge reason for the resurgence at St. John's.

“When Zuby came in, I put him through a hard player-development session. First thing I noticed is he never complained about the drills. He went through it. Then he shot the ball really well. I said to his dad, I said, ‘I got myself a hell of a player here.’ He said, 'I’ve been telling everybody Zuby can shoot.' I said, ‘Well, Zuby can do a lot of things,'" Pitino said.

“But every coach wants to have a player like him — selfless, just cares about the team. You get blessed in coaching him. I’m coaching 50 years and there are very few Zubys that come along that just think about the team. Whether he scores 33 or three, it’s all about the team. Every timeout, he’s saying something positive to the guys. ... We’re lucky to have him. He’s our captain."

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St. John's's Zuby Ejiofor (24) looks toward the stands during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Marquette in the semifinals of the Big East tournament Friday, March 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's's Zuby Ejiofor (24) defends Marquette's Kam Jones (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big East tournament Friday, March 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's's Zuby Ejiofor (24) shoots over Marquette's Ben Gold (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Big East tournament Friday, March 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's's Zuby Ejiofor (24) smiles after scoring during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Marquette in the semifinals of the Big East tournament Friday, March 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's's Zuby Ejiofor (24) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Marquette in the semifinals of the Big East tournament Friday, March 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

LONDON (AP) — Medics and health charities on Saturday praised King Charles III for giving a public update on his cancer treatment, saying his call for people to get tested for the disease could save lives.

In a strikingly personal video statement, the British monarch acknowledged that a cancer diagnosis can feel “overwhelming,” but said catching the disease early brings “the precious gift of hope.”

Here’s what to know about the king's condition and his message.

The 77-year-old king said in a statement broadcast Friday that his treatment schedule will be reduced in the new year, “thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders.’”

He encouraged others to take advantage of screening programs such as those for breast, bowel and cervical cancer offered by Britain’s public health service.

“Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives,” the king said in the statement aired during a “Stand Up to Cancer” telethon on TV station Channel 4. He said catching the disease early had allowed him “to continue leading a full and active life even while undergoing treatment.”

Charles has received outpatient treatment for almost two years. Buckingham Palace did not say the king is in remission, but that his treatment is moving to a “precautionary phase” and his condition will be monitored to ensure his continued recovery.

Charles announced in February 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer, and, in a break from centuries of secrecy about royal health, he has since spoken about the illness, using his story to promote cancer awareness and treatment.

The openness has limits, though. The king has not disclosed what type of cancer he has or what kind of treatment he is receiving. The palace said it was an intentional decision designed to ensure his message reaches the widest possible audience.

The king’s cancer was discovered after treatment for an enlarged prostate. While doctors ruled out prostate cancer, tests revealed “a separate issue of concern,” palace officials said last year.

Charles suspended his public appearances for about two months after his diagnosis. Since returning to the public eye, he has visited cancer treatment centers across the country and shared stories with fellow patients.

British cancer charities said the number of people seeking information about cancer jumped after the king revealed he was undergoing treatment.

“I know from my own experience that a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming,” he said in his video statement. “Yet I also know that early detection is the key that can transform treatment journeys, giving invaluable time to medical teams – and, to their patients, the precious gift of hope.”

Gemma Peters, chief executive at the charity Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We are incredibly grateful to His Majesty the King for continuing to share his experience of cancer with such openness and honesty.”

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of the charity Cancer Research UK, wished the king well and said that “when public figures speak openly about their cancer diagnosis, it can prompt others to check in on their health.”

Broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, the king’s authorized biographer, said the statement was “a remarkable thing for a monarch to do.”

“It takes guts, and the fact that he came out and did that will save lives,” Dimbleby said.

The Princess of Wales, who announced her own cancer diagnosis six weeks after her father-in-law, has also given updates on her treatment. Kate, 43, announced in January that her cancer is in remission.

Find more of AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/royalty

Britain's King Charles III attends an Advent Service at Westminster Abbey, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's King Charles III attends an Advent Service at Westminster Abbey, in London, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP)