Gator’s family offers update
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators forward Keyontae Johnson’s collapse during a basketball game nearly two months ago was not related to a positive COVID-19 test, his family said in a statement released Wednesday. Johnson’s family also offered thanks for the medical care the junior from Norfolk, Virginia, received on Dec. 12 and since, as well as “the outpouring of support and well wishes for Keyontae and our entire family.” The family explained that “University of Florida Health treating physicians consulted with other local and national experts who reviewed the relevant imaging and testing related to this case. The unanimous conclusion of all experts is that Keyontae’s medical emergency was not related to or a result of a previous or current Covid diagnosis. The consultation team included physicians from the Cardiac and Vascular Institute of Gainesville, University of Washington Center for Sports Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Yale University School of Medicine. We continue to be committed to sharing any information that could be helpful to others. Our hope is that the experts’ conclusion that this instance is not Covid-related will bring some peace of mind.” The Johnson family added that their son “will spend the rest of the season focused on being the best coach and teammate he can be. What comes next for Keyontae is for him to share on his own timeline.”
› ATLANTA — Luka Doncic scored 27 points and dished out 14 assists as the Dallas Mavericks snapped a six-game losing streak by defeating the Atlanta Hawks 122-116 on Wednesday night. Kristaps Porzingis added 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks, including a crucial tip-in of a miss by Doncic with 32 seconds remaining that helped Dallas hold off a furious Atlanta comeback. Doncic clearly won the individual matchup with Hawks point guard Trae Young — two of the NBA’s brightest young stars, they are forever linked after being dealt for each other in a blockbuster trade during the 2018 draft. With Dallas players hassling him the length of the court and coming at him with frequent double-team defenses, Young needed a late flourish to reach 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting and had nine assists and four turnovers. Doncic had no such trouble. He continually got to the foul line, where he finished 10-of-10, and came up just two rebounds shy of another triple-double. John Collins led the Hawks with 35 points and 12 rebounds.
FOOTBALL
› Atlanta Falcons executive Steve Cannon is the recipient of the NFL’s annual Salute to Service Award. Now in its 10th year, the Salute to Service recognizes exceptional efforts to honor and support members of the military community. It will be presented Saturday at NFL Honors when The Associated Press announces its individual awards for the league’s current season. USAA, a provider of insurance and other services to U.S. military members, veterans and their families, will contribute $25,000 in Cannon’s honor to the official aid societies representing all five military branches. The NFL and Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank will match USAA’s donation of $25,000, which will be donated to Cannon’s military charity of choice: Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, which awards college scholarships to the children of military members killed in battle, has raised $28 million and counts more than 3,000 scholars to date. Cannon is the CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment, the company named for Blank that includes the Falcons, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United FC. Cannon graduated with honors from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986, was an Airborne Ranger and served five years as an artillery officer. Upon joining the Falcons five years ago, Cannon began arranging trips each spring for the team to meet with active duty personnel, and Atlanta became the first NFL team to conduct its own USO tour.