Most Hawks fans worried about the No. 8 pick, not the 23rd, when the 2026 draft rolled around. Critics called the second first-round selection a mistake, but Zuby Ejiofor just silenced the noise. The rookie forward played 17 minutes off the bench Wednesday night and posted a plus-18 plus‑minus. That number ranked second on the entire team behind only Dyson Daniels. Onsi Saleh and Quin Snyder took a chance on the St. John’s product.
Defining a New Identity on the Court
The Hawks are a young team trying to build a specific culture of toughness and defense. Ejiofor fits that mold perfectly right out of the gate. Head coach Quin Snyder praised the rookie after the 120-105 win over Washington for his energy and focus. “The way that Zuby plays fits that identity that we’re working towards: the competitiveness, the toughness, the focus defensively,” Snyder said, according to Soaring Down South. The coach noted that having a player who can guard without fouling makes life much easier for the staff.
Ejiofor made 4 of his 6 shots, including a three-pointer, to finish with 11 points. He also recorded three rebounds, two assists and two steals in the victory. The 22-year-old did not let his only foul of the night, an offensive charge in the first quarter, derail his energy. Snyder admitted he had to yell at Ejiofor for poking the ball too much near the bench, but the player kept running hard. “He ran the court [and made] all the plays that require energy. And he’s just playing hard. He provides that,” Snyder added, according to Yahoo Sports. The front office bypassed more famous names to acquire players who hustle.
Overcoming Early Doubts About the Pick
There was plenty of scrutiny when the Hawks selected Ejiofor with the 23rd overall pick. The Ringer gave the move a C+ grade, while The Athletic’s opening line was “I didn’t love the team’s second pick”. ESPN had him rated at 26, and The Athletic had him at 28 before the draft. Onsi Saleh was a step ahead of everyone else. He told Snyder to watch the film early on. “I remember when Onsi first showed me a film of him…he was like, ‘Hey, Quin, you’ve got to watch this guy,'” Snyder recalled. The coach saw a guy who competes and is physical, qualities that are rare and valued in the league.
The timing of this emergence is critical for Atlanta. Jock Landale is sidelined with a left hip strain, and Henri Vesaar missed the entire season due to injury. The frontcourt depth is thin, making Ejiofor’s ability to step up against a team with Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr inside a huge relief. “But tonight, for him to step up against a team that has the players they do inside was big for us,” Snyder added. Although the rookie has missed five of Atlanta’s games this season, his performance in the last two outings indicates he will receive more playing time.
