Rewind a few years back and the future couldn’t look brighter for Keyontae Johnson. He played 20 games in his first season, earning a starting role and helped the Gators reach the semi-final of the 2019 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in his second. As a sophomore, he has averaged 14.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 54.4% FG and 38.8% 3PT%, paving the way for him to be named first team All-SEC.
Beginning the 20/21 season Johnson picked up where he left off. After 3 games, his scoring had increased to 16 ppg on efficient splits (64.1% FG, 42.9% 3PT and 79% FT) and the Gators were 3-0. They then travelled away to Florida State where his whole life changed. Returning from a timeout after just 6 minutes of action, Johnson collapsed face first on court and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was in a coma for 3 days. He was unsure if he would ever play basketball again. After seeking multiple medical opinions, he was advised he could play again, however, it couldn’t be for Florida given potential liability issues.
This is where it gets crazy. Johnson had a decision to make after missing the rest of the 20/21 and entire 21/22 season. Enter into the transfer portal and play out his final year of eligibility or accept a $5 million dollar payout he was eligible for under the NCAA insurance policy. ‘Burning the boats’, Johnson declined the insurance money and joined Kansas State, where he has been an instrumental part of the Wildcats transformation. Prior to the season, Kansas State had been picked last in the Big 12 preseason basketball poll for predictions on the upcoming season. Fast forward to the NCAA tournament and they came in as a #3 seed on the back of Johnson’s team high 17.7 ppg, alongside (again) extremely efficient shooting splits of 51.9% FG and 41.1% from 3pt range.
“Yeah, the rankings and poll, they have it all over the locker room and on every TV in the gym,” junior forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin said of the conference preseason poll, which has K-State picked dead last. “So it’s something we see every day in the gym to help motivate us and push us to go harder.”
NOWELL BEHIND-THE-BACK TO KEYONTAE JOHNSON 👀 pic.twitter.com/MLGyeN3vd7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 19, 2023
Johnson’s team high 18 points in the first round was enough to ward off an advance from #14 seed Montana State, leading them to a mouth watering matchup against Kentucky, a #6 seed. For much of the game it was a back and forth affair, with Tshiebwe’s 25 pts and 18 rebs (9 offensive!) and Wallace’s 21 pts keeping Kentucky within striking range. With the game on the line, Kansas State desperately needed a bucket to ice the game – and who would be more fitting than Johnson. A cold blooded step back 3 ensured Kansas State progressed (75-69) and Johnson’s Cinderella story continued.
KEYONTAE JOHNSON. CLUTCH ‼️#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/sNOXsW8vOL
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023
The story of Keyontae Johnson is the epitome of the ‘burn the boats’ analogy. Turning down a whopping $5 million, he’s left himself with no option but to succeed. Betting on himself to ball out and potentially lead Kansas State in his final year to a title. The magic of March Madness continues.