Zuby Ejiofor's emergence proves why Hawks decided to draft him

When it came to the 2026 NBA draft, most Atlanta Hawks fans were much more concerned with what the team was going to do with the No. 8 pick than they were with the No. 23 pick.

During most of the draft cycle, the questions were all surrounding who Atlanta was going to end up with among the second tier of players in the class. Once they drafted Kingston Flemmings, focus shifted, but Onsi Saleh was already a step ahead.

Zuby Ejiofor wasn't on most Hawks fans' radars. ESPN's final big board had him at No. 26, The Athletic had him at No. 28, and The Ringer was the lowest at No. 31. Saleh and the Hawks took the chance on the athletic senior from St. John's with their second pick of the first…