Kansas State basketball advanced to the sweet 16 with a win over Kentucky basketball in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, and arguably the best story in basketball will continue with Keyontae Johnson, who is a big part of the success of the Kansas State basketball program.
On Dec. 12, 2020, Keyontae Johnson, a junior in the Florida basketball program at the time, was playing in a game against Florida State. He was one of the best players in the SEC, and getting some serious buzz for the upcoming NBA Draft, according to Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports. After a timeout was called in the game against Florida State, he collapsed. Johnson was then rushed to the hospital, where he was in a coma for three days.
“The first thing I remember waking up in the hospital is seeing my mom and she was holding my hand,” Johnson said, via Peek. “I heard her talking and my vision was still blurry and she was the first thing I saw and then my dad walked in and just the look on both their faces, I knew something happened.”
Johnson's journey back to the court was long, and required a decision of turning down a $5 million insurance policy.
Johnson entered the transfer portal with one year of eligibility left. He decided to leave the Florida basketball program and join Jerome Tang at the Kansas State basketball program. He was an assistant at Baylor in 2021, when Jared Butler, who went through a similar situation as Johnson, won the National Championship. Because of Jared Butler's situation, Johnson's family was at ease.
Due to the NCAA's exceptional disability insurance program, Johnson could have collected $5 million if he had played just nine games. However, he would not be able to pursue a professional career after the season. Johnson turned it down and played as much as possible this season and is working toward an NBA career.
Johnson averaged 17.7 points with 7.1 rebounds this season. His Kansas State Wildcats are moving on to the sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament and will face either Marquette or Michigan State.
Follow Us
Subscribe