WATCH: Florida honors Keyontae Johnson on Senior Day
Florida forward Keyontae Johnson, who suffered a medical emergency during a game in the 2020-21 season, entered the starting lineup on Senior Day with a standing ovation from the crowd. Although he is still unable to play basketball due to his diagnosis, the senior and former SEC Player of the Year favorite grabbed the opening tip before exiting the game.
Johnson collapsed on the court against Florida State on Dec. 12, 2020 in one of the scariest sports moments in recent memory. After being taken to the hospital, reports surfaced that the star was diagnosed with acute myocarditis. The inflammation of the heart ended his college basketball career.
As Florida fans and players clapped for Keyontae Johnson during his Senior Day moment, Kentucky head coach John Calipari also joined the applause. As the referee blew the whistle to allow the player to come off the floor, he rushed to hug the Kentucky coach before doing the same with a line of Florida coaches and teammates excited to see his big moment.
Over his college career, Johnson played in 71 games and started 55. He averaged 11.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game and shot 37.6 percent from the 3-point line over his three seasons.
Florida battling for NCAA Tournament berth
The Florida Gators enter the final game of the regular season in need of a big win to place themselves on the right side of the bubble on Selection Sunday. A win over Kentucky at home would qualify as a Quadrant 1 win and provide a big boost to their hopes as the SEC Tournament approaches with more chances for big wins.
The Gators currently sit on the right side of CBS bracket expert Jerry Palm’s field, but land on the outside looking in for ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. With debate about their current standing, wins are important and losses hurt even more than they would from November through February.