Keyontae Johnson faces $5 million decision about direction of career, per report
By Keith Farner
Published:
Keyontae Johnson, who collapsed during a game last season with Florida, is facing a serious decision about the direction of his basketball career.
Johnson has a $5 million insurance policy that reportedly went into effect in July 2020, just 5 months before the Florida standout fell to the floor in a game against Florida State, 2 people with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press. Johnson is not expected to be medically cleared to play, and the 6-foot-5 and 230 pounder is facing a decision about pursuing a professional career and getting medical clearance.
“He’s very much a big part of our program,” Florida coach Mike White said last week. “No change in status at all. Not practicing. Coaching, helping organize practice, prepare for practice, doing some officiating. He’s active in drill work.
At issue for Johnson, the SEC’s preseason Player of the Year in 2020, is pursing a potential NBA career. The medical reports haven’t cleared him since the collapse 11 months, and he would need to pass tests before being allowed to attend next year’s NBA Combine and/or privately work out for teams.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
