Comeback complete: Johnson is 50th pick
After on-court collapse nearly ended his career, former Norview High star goes to Thunder, checks off final goal
Since middle school Keyontae Johnson’s parents encouraged their son to set goals.
“When he was little, we made him write a goal list,” said his father Marrecus. “And everything he wanted to do, we told him to check it off.”
One by one Johnson checked them off. On Thursday he checked off a big one: becoming an NBA draft pick.
Johnson, who attended Norview High in Norfolk, was the 50th overall selection by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Johnsons, including Keyontae, celebrated the news at their Norfolk home, surrounded by family and friends.
“Everything he wanted to do, he did,” Marrecus said. “He’s checked off everything. This is the last one.”
Johnson became the third former Hampton Roads player to be chosen in the last three drafts.
Mark Williams, a former star at Norfolk Academy and Duke, was the 15th overall selection by the Charlotte Hornets last season. And in 2021 Cam Thomas, a former Oscar Smith standout, was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets with the 27th overall pick.
Marrecus and his wife, Nika, encouraged their son to put the goal list together, and he has methodically accomplished them.
Johnson went to Norview and played for a state championship. Check.
He wanted to go to a prep school and went to the prestigious IMG Academy in Florida. Check.
He wanted to attend Florida and got a scholarship. Check.
And he wanted to play in March Madness. Check, check: He played for the Gators and helped take Kansas State to the Elite Eight last season after transferring to the Wildcats.
On his way to the NBA Johnson made national headlines.
At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, he was considered a first-round talent, but his life took many twists and turns.
Johnson made a miraculous comeback, returning to the court after a scary collapse during a game with Florida two years ago.
He transferred to Kansas State and helped the Wildcats reach the Elite Eight for the second time in five years.
“I wouldn’t be here without God,” Johnson said in a telephone interview earlier this year with The Pilot. “I’m just appreciative.
“I thank Him after every practice and every game, whether good or bad. He just keeps opening doors for me to succeed in life. Everything is just working out as planned. It’s all God.”
Johnson’s comeback story has been well-documented.
In a game Dec. 12, 2020, he had just dunked in transition against Florida State. After a timeout, Johnson walked back on the court but collapsed face-first. He received emergency medical attention and was taken off the floor on a stretcher and rushed to Tallahassee Memorial hospital.
Following a 10-day stay in Tallahassee and Gainesville hospitals, Johnson returned to the team in a player/coach capacity and remained in that role for the next two seasons.
On March 5, 2022, he was announced as the honorary starter on Senior Day and received a standing ovation. He got the game’s opening tipoff and dribbled a couple of times before he kissed the center of the court.
It marked the end of his Florida playing career.
On May 1 he entered the transfer portal. His suitors included Kansas State, Memphis, Nebraska and Western Kentucky. He chose the Wildcats because of his relationship with first-year coach Jerome Tang, a longtime Baylor assistant who replaced the retiring Bruce Weber.
“Coach Tang was one of the coaches who really had faith in me,” Johnson said about the man who helped Baylor win the 2021 national title.
By returning to basketball, Johnson declined a $5 million insurance payout.
In his only season for Kansas State Johnson was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and an All-Big 12 first-team selection after he averaged a team-high 17.5 points and seven rebounds. He also tied for second in assists (76) and was third in steals (37).
The honors didn’t stop there.
He and teammate Markquis Nowell were named Associated Press third-team All-Americans, becoming the first duo in school history to earn the honor.
Now he’s got a chance to make it in the NBA.
“I wanted it to happen; now it’s here,” Marrecus said.
Nika was overwhelmed
with joy as she thought about her son’s journey.
“[Thursday] morning, I just kind of traveled down memory lane,” she said. “I’m excited, I’m thankful. To hear his name get called is the cherry on top.
“All you want is to watch your kid’s dreams come true. I’m just excited for him to be in this position.”
Nika is also thankful because she knows all of this was nearly taken away.
“It’s definitely not been easy,” she said. “It’s been a lot of faith. It’s been a lot of tears, but also a lot of joy. It’s been a long road, and there’s no way we would have made it without our faith.
“We always dreamed and talked about what the night would be like, and now it’s here. This is his chance. It’s definitely a dream come true for him to be in this position.”