NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: FIRST ROUND - OMAHA VS ST. JOHN'S

March 19, 2025

Kadary Richmond

Zuby Ejiofor

Amica Mutual Pavilion

St. John's Red Storm

Media Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll open up for questions here.

Q. Zuby, Coach Self was in here before saying you've developed a lot and gotten better since you left Kansas. He was asked why you left and he kind of said because Hunter Dickinson came in and maybe you thought it was too crowded at the center position. Can you talk a little bit about your decision to leave and how you've improved under Coach Pitino?

ZUBY EJIOFOR: I was coming in as a freshman with high expectations. Things didn't go the way I planned and Hunter made the decision to commit to Kansas and me and my family made the decision that was best for me at that stage, so we decided to look elsewhere and, you know, I'm entirely grateful for my time at Kansas. So now I find myself in a better situation for myself, and over these past few years, I couldn't have imagined going to a different program where I can develop, like you said, under Coach Pitino and all the standards that he put out for myself. So I'm grateful that I spent the last two years here at St. John's and looking forward to it.

Q. Zuby, tell us a little bit about Omaha. What has jumped out in your game planning and film and what do you do well?

ZUBY EJIOFOR: They're a talented and offensive team. Their point guard, he's the best there is in the country and their power forward, as well, stands out. All those other players, role players around them, do their roles and everything like that. So they can really shoot the ball and, like I said, they're really talented on the offensive end. So we watch film in that department, and to see where the spots where we could be the most successful and apply pressure the entire game.

Q. Kadary, have you noticed anything different? Coach Pitino has been around the block with the tournament, just how he's prepared, his mannerisms, everything like that. What's he been like the past few days compared to the season as a whole with him?

KADARY RICHMOND: I would say the intensity definitely took a jump. There's no margin for error. We have been sharp in everything we have done this week in preparing. That's the biggest thing I have noticed.

Q. Have you heard anything from Shaheen or any of your teammates at Seton Hall wishing you luck or have they reached out to encourage you or wish you luck or anything?

KADARY RICHMOND: Only Dylan. Just good luck and do my best and try to bring it back home.

THE MODERATOR: Anything else?

Q. Along those lines, who is the coolest person you have heard from on this run?

KADARY RICHMOND: Walter Berry?

Q. He's pretty cool. I was thinking in the Jimmy Fallon realm. Any other New Yorker? I saw the Yankees, the Mets. As a Brooklyn guy yourself, what's the meaning of that, to see all the New York sports teams be like St. John's is one of us, too?

KADARY RICHMOND: It feels good knowing that the whole city is backing you, and we have done a special thing this year and we're trying to continue to keep it up and continue special things going on.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you. Good luck tomorrow.