Celtics Writer Names Award-Winning Center As Possible Draft Target

Celtics Writer Names Award-Winning Center As Possible Draft Target originally appeared on NESN.
Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

If the Boston Celtics are looking to improve their center position this offseason, they might have a better chance of doing so with the 27th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft rather than overpaying for a free agent.

There are likely a handful of centers still available when pick No. 27 rolls around, and according to MassLive’s Souichi Terada, St. John’s center Zuby Ejiofor could be a solid choice for the Celtics.

“The Celtics hosted Ejiofor for a predraft workout, so there’s some interest already,” Terada wrote on Friday. “Ejiofor is also projected to be available late in the first round. Ejiofor was a productive big for St. John’s, named Big East Player of the Year and Big East Defensive Player of the Year. If he could develop a jumper, he could have a lengthy career in the NBA. Ejiofor is undersized as a center is one of the question marks here.”

Ejiofor played four seasons of college basketball, one at Kansas before heading to play at St. John’s for three. The 6-foot-9 center took off this season, recording 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in 37 games.

One notable aspect of Ejiofor’s tenure is his ability to turn around St. John’s basketball program over his three seasons there. He helped transform them from one of the worst teams in college basketball into champions, winning two Big East titles in back-to-back seasons. This impressive track record suggests that Ejiofor could be a valuable asset for any team.

More NBA: Insider Names One Former Celtic Boston Should Reunite With This Offseason