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Keyontae Johnson leaving Florida, enters NCAA transfer portal

Untitled_design__8_-removebg-previewby: Pat O'Donnell05/01/22patodonnell22_
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(Photo by Mary Holt/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Keyontae Johnson entered the transfer portal on Sunday, per On3’s Matt Zenitz.

Johnson becomes the fourth UF men’s basketball player from the 2021-22 team to enter the transfer portal.

The Gators forward hasn’t played a minute of basketball since he collapsed at Florida State on Dec. 12, 2020. He did make a ceremonial start on the Gators’ senior day against Kentucky on March 5 but was then taken off the court. The crowd responded with a standing ovation.

In the time since his collapse, Johnson stayed close with the Florida basketball program. Former UF head coach Mike White described Johnson’s role with the team as an extension of the coaching staff and was called “Coach Key.”

In November, the Associated Press’ Mark Long reported that Johnson is eligible for $5 million from an insurance policy. However, if he were to take the money, he would have to put an end to his basketball playing career altogether.

He has not been cleared for physical activity by the University of Florida.

Considering he’s entering the transfer portal, it looks like he’s going to continue pursuing a basketball career at the professional level. At the very least, he will see which schools show interest in adding him to their roster.

The question is whether another program will clear him.

Keyontae Johnson aims to return

If he is cleared to play, one school will be fortunate to have him.

Coming out of high school, Johnson was a four-star prospect. He chose the Gators over Texas Tech, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech among a number of other offers.

In his sophomore season, Johnson emerged as one of the league’s top players. He averaged 14 points and 7.1 assists while shooting 54.4 percent from the field and was named the SEC Preseason Player of the Year ahead of the 2020-21 season.

At 6-foot-5, 229 pounds, the rising fifth-year senior has proven he can score from anywhere on the offensive end. He drives to the rim with tenacity and can shoot from 3-point range.

Defensively, it’s not easy for opposing forwards to go up against him.

On Saturday, the New York Times’ Adam Zagoria tweeted that the Gators forward may be leaving UF and said Johnson is a “lottery level talent.”

Still, it remains to be seen whether Johnson can get the green light to play ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.

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