{
  "id": 18245469,
  "title": "Ruben Prey adjusting to new center role with St. John’s men’s basketball",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/ruben-prey-adjusting-to-new-center-role-with-st-johns-mens-basketball",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-05T04:17:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ruben-prey-adjusting-center-role-041720104.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New York, October 25 - Ruben Prey, the St. John's Red Storm's talented big man, is adjusting to his new role as the starting center following the departure of longtime captain Zuby Ejiofor. This transition is no easy feat, as Prey had been Ejiofor's understudy for two seasons, but now faces the challenge of playing the unfamiliar center position. Prey's journey to this point has been marked by the support of teammates like Dillon Mitchell, Bryce Hopkins, and Neemias Queta, as well as lessons from former captain Ejiofor.\n\nCoach Rick Pitino acknowledges the added responsibility and pressure on Prey's shoulders, but remains confident in his ability to adapt and succeed. \"Ruben had three of the best practices of his career going into the [Monmouth] game,\" Pitino stated, emphasizing the importance of rebounding and blocking shots in Prey's development. Despite a slow start, with just two points and four rebounds in his season opener, Prey's coach believes he has time to gel into his new role and make a significant impact on the team.",
  "summary": "The junior big faces the Herculean task of filling Zuby Ejiofor’s shoes, and he isn’t letting early struggles in this new position shake his confidence.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ruben Prey adjusts to starting center role after Ejiofor's departure.",
    "Teammates and Ejiofor's guidance help Prey adapt to new position.",
    "Coach Pitino confident in Prey's ability to succeed and impact team."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Prey stepping into the starting center role shifts the team's interior dynamic as he transitions from a long-term understudy to a primary contributor under Rick Pitino.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}