St. John's is gearing up for a pivotal season as it prepares to fill the void left by departing center Zuby Ejiofor, with Ruben Prey slated to inherit the starting role.
Coach Rick Pitino has voiced strong confidence in Prey, emphasizing the center’s steady improvement and the potential he shows to become a dominant presence in the paint.
Pitino’s Praise
Teammates Bryce Hopkins and Dillon Mitchell have echoed that sentiment, highlighting Prey’s versatility, work ethic, and the way he stretches the floor with his shooting.
Over two seasons at St. John's, Prey has posted modest but upward numbers, averaging 4.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, while his minutes per contest rose from 7.7 as a freshman to 10.7 as a sophomore.
His breakout moment came in the Sweet 16 against Duke, where he scored 12 points on 4‑for‑4 shooting from three‑point range, underscoring his ability to contribute offensively beyond the rim.
Frontcourt Reinforcements
The frontcourt has been bolstered by recent recruits and transfers, creating a depth chart that positions Prey as the anchor while new additions provide complementary size and skill.
Zuby Ejiofor himself expressed pride in Prey’s development, stating that he is excited to see his former teammate step into the role and continue the program’s upward trajectory.
With the new roster pieces in place, St. John's aims to maintain its strong frontcourt performance and push for greater success in the upcoming schedule.