Keyontae Johnson, a star basketball player for Florida, is transferring to Kansas State.
On Saturday, the 23-year-old forward made his choice known on Instagram. First time after collapsing on the floor during a game against Florida State in 2020, when he was hospitalized in critical condition and put into a medically induced coma, he will participate in his next game.
Days after being hospitalized, Johnson's condition was upgraded to stable. He ultimately reconnected with his Florida colleagues on the bench without participating after being discharged after ten days. He stayed with the team until the 2021–22 campaign. On Senior Day in March, he received the ceremonial opening tip but did not participate in the game.
Johnson's condition's specifics are still unknown. His family has kept his particular medical diagnosis a secret. Florida never gave him the go-ahead to reappear in court.
Johnson graduated in April and declared his intention to transfer and play the following season while still having NCAA eligibility. He weighed Kansas State against Memphis, Nebraska, and Western Kentucky before making his decision. It's unclear if Kansas State has given him the go-ahead to play.
Johnson, can you go back to All-Conference shape?
Johnson was named to the first team All-SEC as a sophomore in 2020 and was named the conference's preseason player of the year for the 2020–21 season. He might have an instant impact for the Wildcats if he is cleared and manages to regain his form.
Johnson, a 6-5 forward, averaged 14 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game in his final full season as a sophomore in 2019–20 while shooting 54.4% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc. Before his breakdown, he was thought of as an NBA prospect.
If Johnson participates, a $5 million insurance coverage is at risk.
Johnson reportedly has a $5 million insurance policy that would pay out if he were unable to play again, according to the Associated Press. According to AP, the rule permits him to take part in a few games to gauge how his health is doing. The insurance would be worthless if he played more games than allowed. When Kansas State plays Florida in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge on January 28, he would play his former team if he is given the all-clear.
A sexual assault investigation involving Johnson was opened in March as a result of an alleged incident at a pool party in Gainesville. He was never detained, and the prosecution dropped the case due to a dearth of evidence.