Kansas Jayhawks Number Rankings: 35

Let's see how Zuby Ejiofor compares to other KU greats who have worn number 35

Author:
Derek Noll
Publish date:
May 11, 2023 1:44 PM EDT

In this story:

A few weeks ago, we started a new series ranking current KU players against other KU stars who have worn the same number. We’ve already ranked all the starters from 2022-23, and if you haven’t already, click here to get started and follow the links.

Now we’re on to the bench and you can click to see how Joseph Yesufu and Bobby Pettiford scored.

The idea behind these lists is as follows: I’ll list the guys who wore the same number, give a few blurbs about each player, and ultimately find a place where the current Jayhawk ranks.

Let’s examine one year wonder Zuby Ejiofor as well as others who have worn number 35 (since 1983 and the start of the Larry Brown era at KU).

Other recent 35s:

Ben Davis. One season, 1991-92.

Ben Davis played 32 games for KU in 1991-92, scoring at a 6.6 PPG clip while grabbing 4.5 rebounds per game. He transferred to Arizona and became an All-Pac 10 performer.

Jarod Haase. Three seasons, 1994-1997.

Mr. Floor Burns himself had a fine three year run at KU after transferring in from California. Over his three seasons, he averaged 12.5 points and 3.4 assists. His three point shooting percentage of 33.8% probably didn’t warrant chucking up 156 of them over his KU career.

Udoka Azubuike. Four seasons, 2016-2020.

Another player from that 2020 team that never got a chance to achieve the highest team honor in the sport, but from a personal perspective, Udoka Azubuike’s years at KU were excellent. After an injury prone junior season, Dok really shone in 2019-20. He was the NABC National Defensive Player of the Year that season when he averaged 2.6 blocks per game. In his KU career, Azubuike shot 74% from the field and averaged 12.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.

Gethro Muscadin. One season, 2020-2021.

No sadder story could possibly emerge from college hoops than that of Gethro Muscadin. RIP.

How does Zuby Ejiofor stack up?

Well, we would’ve known more after Ejiofor played a few years at KU, but with the arrival of Hunter Dickinson, Zuby is wisely exploring his options in the transfer portal. In 2022-23, he went from behind KJ Adams, Ernest Udeh, and Zach Clemence in the big man pecking order to first choice off the bench until an injury derailed his season. Zuby averaged 1.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in his freshman year at KU.