Gators star from Norfolk ‘following simple commands’
Keyontae Johnson, who collapsed Saturday, is now hospitalized in Gainesville
Florida Gators forward Keyontae Johnson, who grew up in Norfolk, has been transferred to a hospital in Gainesville, Florida, and remains in critical but stable condition following his collapse during a game Saturday.
The university released an update Monday on Johnson’s medical status, noting he is “following simple commands and undergoing further tests.”
USA Today reported Johnson’s grandfather, Larry DeJarnett, said the 21-year-old basketball star had been placed in a medically induced coma.
The hope, DeJarnett said, was doctors would bring Johnson out of his coma once he was situated at the hospital, UF Health.
“They’re just not sure,” DeJarnett told USA Today Sports. “He may have had activity in the brain, so they induced the coma. They put him on medication to keep him sedated.”
The university did not share further details on the status of Johnson.
Johnson, a 6-foot-5 junior who was named the Southeastern Conference’s Preseason Player of the Year, averaged a team-high 14 points last season to go along with 7.1 rebounds. He also led the Gators with 38 steals. He starred for
Norview High in Norfolk before he transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and finished at Oak Hill Academy in southwest Virginia.
After collapsing on the court during the opening minutes of Florida’s 83-71 loss at Florida State, Johnson was transported to Tallahassee Memorial and declared to be in critical but stable condition.
UF flew Johnson’s parents from Norfolk to be with their son.
Coach Mike White and team trainer Duke Werner have remained at the hospital with Johnson. Florida players, assistant coaches and support staff returned to Gainesville by bus Saturday evening.
The Gators are scheduled to host North Florida at 7 p.m. Wednesday, but the game is expected to be canceled, sources told CBS Sports.