College Basketball Star Who Collapsed During Game Placed In Medically Induced Coma

Florida Gators basketball player Keyontae Johnson remains in the same critical but stable condition after collapsing in a recent game against the Florida State Seminoles. However, the 21-year-old cager was placed under a medical induced coma recently to keep him sedated.

It appears he had some activity in the brain and the measure is seen as precautionary. This was revealed in a report from Tallahasee.com in the latest update on the 6-foot-5 basketball star.

Johnson collapsed in the early minutes of their game against the Seminoles last Dec. 13. He and his teammates were coming out of a timeout and were returning to the flood. The 21-year-old was walking towards center court before falling face-first into the hardwood. He was immediately attended to and taken out on a stretcher. The Gators were leading at that point 11-3.

This came not long after Johnson made a highlight play. He converted and alley-hoop play courtesy of a pass from Tyree Appleby and even celebrated with his teammates after that sequence.

Johnson remains under observation with no word yet if the collapse was possibly linked to COVID-19. The junior player was reportedly among the players who tested positive for the coronavirus last summer. However, his grandfather was uncertain if Keytonae did test positive for COVID-19.

“I know that there was some of the times when some of the team was quarantined, yes. I don’t know if he was one of them or not,” DeJarnett said.

The good news is that Johnson can follow simple commands. After spending the first couple of days at the Tallahassee Memorial, he was moved to the UF Health in Gainesville, Florida for further tests, ESPN reported.

Johnson was adjudged the SEC Preseason Player of the Year and was a prominent figure for the University of Florida. He led the way for the Gators in their first three wins of the tournament.

Also, Johnson passed up the chance to join the 2020 NBA Draft. He chose to continue playing for the Gators, a move that further endeared him to the community.

The Gators did not hold practice on Monday with most keeping track of the condition of Johnson. Players were instead allowed to hold individual workouts or lift some weights.