A painful reminder
Gators’ Johnson collapsed in FSU game last season
GAINESVILLE — Florida lost more than a game last December at Florida State, site of the harrowing on-court collapse of Gators basketball star Keyontae Johnson.
Johnson’s career is on hold, if it ever resumes. Coach Mike White remains haunted by the memory.
“Sometimes, it feels like it was just a couple weeks ago; sometimes it feels like it was so long ago,” he said. “Obviously, [it was] a really, really tough day.”
The incident remains perhaps the major storyline as the Gators (1-0) begin a new season with an upgraded roster capable of delivering an exciting, winning brand of basketball.
“Questions keep coming, whether he’s getting them or we’re getting them,” White said. “I wish at times he could avoid being in the news a little bit.”
White’s squad finally has a chance to change the conversation and end the stranglehold of the Seminoles (1-0) in a one-sided rivalry.
The teams meet at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Gainesville with the Gators determined to snap a six-game skid against FSU coach Leonard Hamilton’s program.
“It’d be huge,” White said. “It just would.”
Yet Johnson’s health scare will be in the back of the minds of everyone at the O’Connell Center, no one more than a 22-yearold whose basketball career remains on hold as doctors still continue to investigate the cause.
“I would assume this weekend could be hard for him, unfortunately,” White said following Friday’s practice.
Johnson will be in his usual place on the Florida sideline, cheering, cajoling, even coaching his teammates — absorbed by the happenings on the court.
White hopes everyone follows Johnson’s lead.
“We’re focused on Sunday’s game between this version of the Gators and this version of the Seminoles,” White said. “That’s not unlike any other year. But [it’s] probably even more productive to do that this year.”
Laser focus and razorsharp execution are required for the Gators to have a shot at winning.
Coming off their third straight Sweet 16 appearance, the No. 20 Seminoles replace their top three scorers with plenty of reinforcements, as evidenced by Wednesday’s 105-70 rout of Penn.
Senior power forward Malik Osborne led the way with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while 6-foot-6 senior guard Anthony Polite scored 17 points. Houston transfer Caleb Mills contributed 14 points and has the Gators’ attention, as do FSU’s four 7-footers.
A 6-foot-5 sophomore and preseason AAC Player of the Year, Mills factors on both ends of the floor.
“He plays hard, he’s got good length, he has the ability to pester the basketball,” White said. “Offensively, boy is he versatile — going either way, hesitation, stepbacks, inside moves, you name it. He’s going to be very difficult to defend.”
Transfer Brandon McKissic eagerly awaits Mills and Co. after earning Defensive Player of the Year honors twice in the Summit Conference at UM-Kansas City.
“I love competition,” the 6-3 McKissic said. “This is just a big moment that I’m ready to take in on.”
McKissic led the Gators with 20 points during a Nov. 1 exhibition win against Embry-Riddle. During
Tuesday’s 74-61 win against Elon, Penn State transfer Myreon Jones scored 14 of his team-high 20 points during an otherwise lackluster second half for the Gators.
The two newcomers, along with center Colin Castleton, who had 18 points and six blocks against Elon, and point guard Tyree Appleby (27 points and 10 assists in the two games) are among the players White will rely on as the retooled Gators aim to establish roles, chemistry and confidence.
Florida State presents a chance for Florida to accelerate the process and make an early statement after the Gators were picked to finish seventh in the SEC.
McKissic might be new to the Gators, but he wants to be remembered as one of the players who helped end the Seminoles’ grip.
“It would mean the world,” he said. “I came here to win.
“Bringing that win back for the Florida Gators would mean a lot to me. It’s my first year, but everyone here feels like family. I would love to [do that].”