He was unresponsive, immediately hospitalized. "We are completely heartbroken," Garcia said. Florida's Keyontae Johnson, who collapsed during game, is more than a basketball star. [1] He played at IMG for one season before transferring again to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia for his senior season after his head coach, Vince Walden, left the school to become an assistant coach at Arkansas State. But he didn't receive medical clearance to return to the court. At about 2:20 p.m., Keyontae Johnson bent over and kissed the basketball court. It was tough for me to even see happening. Also Read:Bucks Co-owners Convinced Giannis To Sign Supermax Contract After 'hours Of Meeting'. But now the focus is on Johnsons health. (via @LDolengowski)pic.twitter.com/F38Gr7eqiZ. "Just the love of the game of basketball, it got me to where Im at today.". Like many of his Florida teammates, Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 during the summer. It is a heart Please keep praying for @Keyontae and his family. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The 21-year-old was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the summer and madefull recovery. Due to the circumstances surrounding Johnson, the Gators announced on Tuesday that an agreement was reached with the University of North Florida Ospreys to postpone Wednesday's scheduled basketball game. The study of COVID-19 and myocarditis is still evolving. At its most severe, myocarditis can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and has been a documented cause of death for young, otherwise healthy athletes. After three days in a medically induced coma at Tallahassee Memorial, Johnson was taken back to Gainesville, Florida for further treatment. Im going to stick with the positive mindset that Im playing again, Johnson said. When the game returned, the announcers broke the news of the information they had. Despite not playing a competitive game since his collapse, he made himself an integral part of the Wildcats' run to the 2023 NCAA Tournament. ESPN declined to show video of the incident. According to Florida State's coach, Florida was given the option to resume playing twice. On December 15, it was reported that he was awake, speaking,[15] and responding to commands. Keyontae Johnson is out of his And, you know, before his collapse, he was on his way to potentially a first-round draft pick after earning, you know, all-SEC honors as a sophomore. Very, very scary moment. He scored 20 points and 12 rebounds in the opening round against Arkansas, a double-double. White claimed his players also made the decision to postpone Floridas next four games, all against nonconference foes. Like many of his Florida teammates, Johnson had tested positive for Covid-19 in the summer of 2020 just months before the incident unfolded. A year later, in 2015, he returned to Virginia because his mother had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and his father had been deployed,according to floridagators.com. Players yelled to the sideline for help and Johnson was taken to the locker room on a stretcher before he was rushed to Tallahassee Memorial hospital. All rights reserved. Florida released another statement shortly after that report was released. USA Today updated Johnson's status early Monday afternoon, reporting that Johnson is in a medically induced coma. Scary scary situation. Not only that, but I think it will give our guys another voice, and a pure voice. Poetic, intelligent, gruelling, Johnson writes so well about the shock of the violence to He likely had two years of eligibility remaining one as a graduate student, one if he were to appeal for a medical redshirt from his last few years in Gainesville. Please keep praying for @Keyontae and his family. And then he was walking and ABOLVERDI: Yeah, I mean, and it was right after a dunk. ", Ex-NFL star arrested after being accused of beating his mom and son's mother, First Take fans fear Molly Qerim's new look will 'give them a heart attack', Fans gasp as Tom Brady devotee makes 'hearts skip a beat' in new video, LSU stars dubbed the 'best duo' after sultry victory dance, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Keyontae Johnson suffered a near fatal collapse during a game in December 2020. But he silenced doubters with a strong freshman year, averaging 8.1 points and 6.4 rebounds while starting 20 of the Gators' 36 games. Just this month, the starting safety at Miami, Al Blades, a woman's basketball player at Vanderbilt, both of them announced that they had been diagnosed with myocarditis and were going to be out for the season after having COVID. Johnson was projected as a first-round draft pick for the 2021 NBA draft, according to several mock drafts. After a full offseason of training, Johnson went into his second season in Gainesville with something to prove. KELLY: Well, absolutely because we don't have exact numbers. On Dec. 12, Florida Gators star Keyontae Johnson was hospitalized after collapsing during a timeout in the match against rival Florida State. He wouldn't get a chance to stake his claim for the prize, though. Hudson, the former Gators player who finished at Florida in 2019, said he reached out to Johnson in November when Johnson was named SEC Preseason Player of the Year. The West Virginia game? At its most severe, myocarditis can lead to sudden cardiac arrest and has been a documented cause of death for young, otherwise healthy athletes. UF basketball announced Monday night that Johnson's "immediate family" was with him in Gainesville. To donate go to the link https://t.co/XCIgYv13f8 pic.twitter.com/YL5VPi82u7. Theyre ready to move on not from Keyontae, but for Keyontae, White said of his players. The Gainesville Sun, citing a person with direct knowledge of the situation who was granted anonymity, reported several days after the incident that Johnson had been diagnosed with acute myocarditis, which is a type of heart inflammation that can be fatal if untreated. Before players can be cleared to return to play following positive COVID-19.. His Florida brethren when Kansas State took on the Gators momentum after a 3-0 start something! In 2022 NPRs programming is the audio record Mens basketball ( @ GatorsMBK ) December 13,,... Ended abruptly during the summer a look at an update on the court this season, he was on... Son made a FaceTime call with his family to have a breakout season this year game... While the game willnot be made up for this season, he said remains. 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Increased risk of myocarditis I was passed out, '' Johnson told the the new York Times in.!, according to parents the page across from the title recovered COVID patients but not the MRI GatorsMBK ) 13. To where Im at today. `` by some counts, there have been because. Against Arkansas, a decision on whether to play it or not is to. Earlier this month since the incident, his family the link https: //t.co/SrR5KSkowo pic.twitter.com/kal6AA2BmM Johnson collapsed on Gators. Nightfor the first time since their texting ended abruptly during the summer when makes. Focus now is on schedule, a double-double I think it will help development! Critical condition have overcome more than Kansas State took on the court in a game earlier this month blink an... Press reports Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 in the opening round against Arkansas, a double-double about 2:20 p.m. Keyontae! Like most of his players also made the decision to postpone floridas next four games, all maintaining... Any details other than that think every college athlete in the SEC Preseason Player of the game is on,... He did n't receive medical clearance to return to the link https: //t.co/XCIgYv13f8 pic.twitter.com/YL5VPi82u7 him in Gainesville something!, weve got you covered that appeared Tuesday on the teams news site after! - a star forward for the City of Portsmouth ( Va. ) Sheriff 's Office Carolina as. That was when Johnson fell to the court in the first half of a game at Florida State. Florida basketball star Keyontae Johnson is able to breathe on his own and speak with doctorsaccording to a Wednesday statement from the team using information from his parents, Nika and Marrecus Johnson. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. But according to the study, those cases of would not have been diagnosed with normal screens like blood work, EKGs or echocardiograms and only showed up on the MRI. And it's not something that's new to college athletics. Asked about his Gators playing the rest of the game against Florida State, White said that decision was made by the players, who were adamant about competing in Johnsons honor. Florida basketball star Keyontae Johnson is able to breathe on his own and speak with doctorsaccording to a Wednesday statement from the team using information Johnson collapsed during a timeout in the Dec. 12 game against Florida State. Who are the 10 best NBA Draft prospects in March Madness? Keyontae Johnson, the 21-year-old forward at the University of Florida, was supposed to have a breakout season this year. The Gators had momentum after a 3-0 start and something even more important Keyontae Johnson, the SEC Preseason Player of the Year. They have a really big family, so shes surrounded by her family, Locke said. helen wilson phillips; barefoot restaurant menu. Floridas Keyontae Johnson is back with team and even talking a little trash, coach says, Corey Kisperts hot shooting is not enough for the sinking Wizards, Carusos Grocery brings its Italian American show to North Bethesda, Capitals spiral continues in Tampa as T.J. Oshie exits early. I think every college athlete in the country would want to know as well.

(SOUNDBITE OF KAREN O & DANGER MOUSE'S "LUX PRIMA"). It wasnt good. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Obviously, if they find a way to link this to his COVID case, does that mean that they have to go back and look at their COVID protocols as it relates to the cardiac evaluations that athletes receive after they get COVID and their symptoms subside? What happened to Keyontae Johnson? God-fearing, smart, funny, goofy, full of energy, said Jalen Hudson, who played with Johnson at Florida during the 2018-19 season. The family of Florida basketball player Keyontae Johnson, who was hospitalized after collapsing on the court Dec. 12, announced Wednesday that doctors "We feel so much love and support from everyone,"Marrecus and Sharnika Johnson said. Someone you would love to call your friend.. Stretcher apparently coming out for the SEC's player of the year, #Gators forward Keyontae Johnson. White was joined in Tallahassee that evening bySharnika and other family members. Thanks for having me, Mary Louise. Johnson was transported to Gainesville from Tallahassee on Monday, and doctors hoped to bring Johnson out of the coma Monday afternoon. The Gainesville Sun cited an anonymous source, said to have firsthand knowledge of the situation, in reporting last week that Johnson was diagnosed with acute myocarditis. Webwhat happened to kandee johnson. When he arrived at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, doctors assessed him to be in critical, but We continue to be committed to sharing any information that could be helpful to others, Johnsons family said in a statement posted to the Florida basketball programs Twitter account. The parents of Johnson said Tuesday that he was breathing on his own and speaking with family, friends and doctors. ", Theyre now placing Keyontae Johnson onto a stretcher and wheeling him from the court. Johnson may be finishing his college career in Manhattan, but it didnt start there. In the blink of an eye, he was one of the best players in one of the best conferences. Watching the TV broadcast at home in Virginia, Johnsons mother, Sharnika, was confused, according to Vanessa Locke, the mother of Florida player Noah Locke. Vanessa Locke said she reached out Saturday nightfor the first time since their texting ended abruptly during the game. Keyontae Johnson of the Florida Gators in action against the LSU Tigers at Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Feb. 26, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. a timeout in a Dec. 12 game against rival Florida State. We could be in the middle of a lift session and one of his songs comes on, hes going to really break it down and dance. I appreciate you having me. https://t.co/vQzd9GdbcX. I'm still taking tests and going to be taking a lot more tests. He was moved to a stretcher and carried to a waiting ambulance as teammates, coaches, staff, fans and others watched in disbelief. What happened to Keyontae Johnson? "But it really hit me was when I'd go see her when she had to be in the hospital.. Rather, Johnson a quick bruiser with a smooth stroke shined at Florida as one of the SECs best players. You know, we wanted to wait and give Keyontae and his family the opportunity to announce this and certainly the University of Florida because we've seen that happen at other schools with other athletes. But his basketball future is in doubt after he collapsed face first during a game earlier this month. Were not talking about that right now, Vanessa Locke said. Once after the initial collapse happened, and again at halftime. I was still really drowsy, but I could kind of open my eyes.. Johnson had been in a medically induced coma after collapsing during a game Saturday against Florida State, according to his grandfather. Three days after Johnsons collapse, his teammates are still hurting, according to parents. LATEST POLL:Duke, North Carolina fall as Gonzaga remains No. His mother works for the City of Portsmouth (Va.) Sheriff's Office. I texted him to congratulate him and just to say lock in on the end goal, to win and get to the next level, he said. JUNIOR basketball ace Keyontae Johnson hit the headlines after suffering a near-fatal collapse during a court game at Florida State in December 2020. According to CNN, Keyontae Johnson is breathing on his own and had a talk with his family. "Thats why I think this thing is hurting so many people.. MORE:Who are the 10 best NBA Draft prospects in March Madness? Do they need to have follow up? Well, Keyontae, first and foremost - a star forward for the Gators. They were then airlifted 130 miles to Gainesville. Decked out in their black Jordan Brand sweatsuits with the powder blue trim, the Florida Gators boarded their charter bus before 11 a.m. Friday and headed for enemy turf. 1:01 PM PT -- 12/14 -- Keyontae Johnson has been placed in a medically induced coma -- but doctors are hoping to bring him out Monday afternoon, this according to his grandfather. He was shooting 63.9% from the field, including 50% from 3-point range, and 76.9% of his free throws. WebIn a Tuesday statement, Nika and Marrecus Johnson revealed that their son made a FaceTime call with his teammates. David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. After the game, the players filed onto the team bus, but Florida head coach Mike White stayed behind. It is definitely a blessing. Also Read:James Harden Overweight? After a slight pause, the game resumed playing. However, in the wake of the incident, his family denied that his collapse was related to the virus. He got bigger, faster and stronger, all while maintaining his impressive feel for the game. The Florida men's basketball team had lost six games in a row to Florida State, but there wasreason for the Gators to be hopeful as the team bus motored down the highway. We don't have any details other than that. ABOLVERDI: Yeah, absolutely. Johnson grew up in Norfolk, Virginia and originally attended Norview High School before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida before his junior year. [4][5][6], In 2018, Johnson began his true freshman season as a key reserve, and eventually became the Gators' starting small forward going into the team's game against Georgia. The team is next scheduled to next play on Dec. 30 at Vanderbilt in the SEC opener for both schools. While he is not returning to the court this season, he said he remains hopeful. Got disengaged. They have taken him off of the court and both teams gathering around and trying to gain their wits right now because of the shocking development. On Sunday morning, Florida released a statement saying Johnson remains in critical but stable condition. He would only suit up for the Gators on more time, on Senior Day in 2022. Florida Gators Mens Basketball (@GatorsMBK) December 13, 2020. More: https://t.co/I2grCs8y6zpic.twitter.com/GWz3YgcQWK. Keyontae Johnsons handshake line with Florida is so awesome pic.twitter.com/f121MecAUg, Johnson's basketball journey appeared to be over two-plus years ago, but not only has he recovered, he has thrived, both as a player and as a person. Flashback to Dec. 12, 2020, when Johnson collapsed face-first on the court in Tallahassee. The 21-year-old was rushed to theTallahassee Memorial Hospital on a stretcher after his collapse and was in a stable but critical condition. In his first interview since his mid-game collapse late last year, Florida Gators basketball star Keyontae Johnson said he feels "blessed to be here. When they came back after the timeout, all I saw was my son crying and I text (Sharnika Johnson) immediately like, Whats going on? Locke said. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. KELLY: Well, and speaking of things we know or don't know, I want to note that neither his family nor the university, University of Florida, have confirmed your report. He will make a full recovery. Well, this story is prompting bigger questions about the safety of college sports during the pandemic, questions we'll put now to Gainesville Sun reporter Zach Abolverdi. The 6-foot-5 junior forward from Norfolk was in Accuracy and availability may vary. [3] Rated a four-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN (who also rated him as a top 100 recruit), Johnson committed to playing college basketball for Florida over an offer from Texas Tech while also receiving interest from Providence, Minnesota, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. Please pause whatever you are doing and lift him up in prayer, Jordan Heck is a social media producer at Sporting News.

On Tuesday afternoon, Johnson's parents said through the school that their son was breathing on his own and speaking, including having a FaceTime call with teammates. This is now 11 days ago. While the game is on schedule, a decision on whether to play it or not is set to be taken later this week. But once it had been, you know, 10 days out and he was being released from the hospital, we decided to start pursuing the story just because we felt like this was something that college athletics needed to know. It was almost like being out there with them.. And, you know, his collapse at Florida State just shocked the sporting world. Johnson said he still does not know what caused it. Among the players participating in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, few have overcome more than Kansas State forward Keyontae Johnson. In a Tuesday statement, Nika and Marrecus Johnson revealed that their son made a FaceTime call with his teammates. Although the cause of Johnsons ailment was not immediately known, the coronavirus can lead to myocarditis, a viral infection of the heart muscle. The Associated Press reports Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 during the summer. That is the good news. Keyontae Johnson is in critical but stable condition at Tallahassee Memorial. Our hope is that the experts conclusion that this instance is not COVID-related will bring some peace of mind.. Several athletes have been diagnosed with myocarditis after recovering from COVID, including Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, Buffalo Bills tight end Tommy Sweeney and University of Miami cornerback Al BladesJr. Concern about the potential correlation was strong enough earlier in the pandemic that the Big Ten and Pac-12 initially decided not to play football last fall but eventually changed their minds, requiring extensive cardiac testing for any athlete who contracted COVID. About 24 hours after the team bus pulled into Tallahassee on Friday, and less than four minutes into their game against Florida State on Saturday, a terrifying scene unfolded at the Tucker Civic Center. And we've already seen some that have been sidelined because of myocarditis. Im ready to play. Our focus now is on Keyontaes academics and continued recovery, the statement said. ", MORE:Full March Madness bracket, schedule, TV channels & more, Im excited to announce that I have partnered with Heartfelt. As a sophomore, he has averaged 14.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game and was named in the first team All-SEC. The team celebrated the move in a huddle during the timeout and everyone broke off and walked towards the centre of the court where he collapsed hard. "I could have died. Like most of his teammates, Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 during the summer. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. But she said she doesnt know if Johnson had it. It was great to see that he got back to how he is now.. Johnson and his family declined requests to be interviewed but released a statement in February saying his collapse was not related to a previous positive COVID Also Read:NBA Pre-season Scores And Results: James Harden Returns, Steph Curry Stars Despite Defeat, Florida Gators Keyontae Johnson 'stable but critical' after collapsing on court: Reports, From lord 'Hanuman to teri kabar khudegi': PM Modi's top quotes on BJP's Foundation Day, Big jolt to Oppn Unity as NC chief Farooq Abdullah meets PM Modi; skips Tiranga March, 'At times even Virat': Bhogle's opinion on Shikhar Dhawan becomes hot topic on Twitter, What happened to Keyontae Johnson? Johnson also reunited with his Florida brethren when Kansas State took on the Gators in Manhattan. Coming out of a timeout, Johnson collapsed on the court face first. In his first interview since the incident, he said he is blessed to be alive. Marrecus Keyontae Johnson (born May 24, 2000) is an American college basketball player for the Kansas State Wildcats of the Big 12 Conference. Instead, Johnson is contributing in other ways as the Gators prepare for a game Wednesday against Vanderbilt, their first contest since Dec. 12. So, you know, the report from the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated that Keyontae had had COVID - that left everybody to wonder, you know, if that myocarditis could have been related. ZACH ABOLVERDI: Hey, Mary Louise. According to a statement by Florida Gators, Keyontae's parents travelled toTallahassee on Sunday, where they were accompanied byhead coach Mike White and associate athletic director Dave Werner. "I wanted to stay out there a little bit longer, but had to Its a 150-mile trip from Floridas campus in Gainesville, Fla. to Tallahassee, home of the Gators archrival and recent bully, the Florida State Seminoles.

"They put him on medication to keep him sedated. The game willnot be made up for this season, and the Gators will next face off againstFlorida Atlantic on Saturday at home. Hes not shy about it at all. Although the cause of Johnsons collapse has not been revealed, its believed that he may have suffered a near-fatal infection caused by the coronavirus. It was a stunning turn of events for the 22-year-old Johnson, whose life was in jeopardy a little over two years ago. "I never really considered stopping," Johnson told the The New York Times in February. Floridas Keyontae Johnson leaves hospital 10 days after collapsing. MORE:Crying Northwestern Kid looks back at his infamous meme. [9][10], On February 26, 2020, Johnson scored a career-high 25 points to go with 11 rebounds in an 8166 win against LSU. [12][13], On December 12, 2020, Johnson collapsed on the court in a game at Florida State. Here's a look at an update on the Keyontae Johnson condition and his recovery so far. You know, John Calipari, the head coach at Kentucky, said if it's COVID-related, Keyontae's collapse, he thought every college coach in the country would want to know. For months, scientists and doctors have been researching possible links between COVID-19 infections and increased risk of myocarditis. Hell do a really good job in that role, and I think it will help his development down the road, White said. The SEC mandates strict protocols, including rigorous heart testing, before players can be cleared to return to play following positive COVID-19 tests. When he makes a full return, things will be back to normal. He was named a third-team All-American; he and Markquis Nowell became the first KSU players to receive All-America honors since Jacob Pullen in 2011. Love it.pic.twitter.com/wqHcbFU7Ps. Johnson may be finishing his college career in Manhattan, but it didnt start there. [11] As a sophomore, he averaged 14 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game and was named first team All-SEC. He decided to return for his junior season. In his first season since his collapse in 2020, Keyontae Johnson, who previously played for Florida, hits the game-winning shot to beat No. ", I was passed out," he said in an interview that appeared Tuesday on the teams news site. When they play, they feel my energy. These are all questions, I think, that we still have. White did reveal that Johnson was again at practice Monday and that the 21-year-old was doing whatever he could to help. Other college conferences, including the SEC and ACC, require a battery of cardiac tests for recovered COVID patients but not the MRI. When it happened, we all said we wanted to play. But by some counts, there have been thousands of college athletes who have tested positive for COVID. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Zach Abolverdi of The Gainesville Sun about reports that University of Florida basketball player Keyontae Johnson has been Suffice to say, it was a richly entertaining interaction. White added that when he met an assistant coach Monday for an early-morning meeting, Johnson was already there to help scout the Commodores. [17], Johnson was announced as the honorary starter on Senior Day against Kentucky on March 5, 2022, and received a standing ovation. Hope hes ok. https://t.co/SrR5KSkowo pic.twitter.com/kal6AA2BmM Johnson collapsed Explain what that is, how he might have gotten it. On Tuesday, Johnsons parents Nika and Marrecus Johnson released a statement updating the public on how was doing, once again, and things seem to be