Ten days after collapsing during a game, Florida star Keyontae Johnson is being released from the hospital.
“Today is a great day! Keyontae is being released from the hospital. We continue to be amazed at the pace of his recovery and look forward to spending Christmas together as a family,” Johnson’s family said Tuesday in a statement released by the school. “Along with so many well wishes and prayers, we’ve understandably gotten questions about the cause and extent of Keyontae’s illness. As much as everyone involved wants firm answers, the process to draw definitive conclusions continues, and we ask for patience as the medical professionals continue their work.
“We are committed to sharing not only updates on Keyontae but also any information we think could help others. When we have that, we will share it. Until then, we continue to be grateful for the care and support Keyontae is receiving.”
Johnson’s improvement has continued since Dec. 12, the day he collapsed after a timeout in the first half of a game against rival Florida State. Both teams were visibly shaken by the incident, but play continued after Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton said his team would continue if Florida coach Mike White decided it was “best for his team.”
After the game, school officials said Johnson was listed in critical but stable condition. Few details about the incident have been released but his gradual progress has been well-documented.
Days after the incident, Johnson was responding to medical professionals after being transported from Tallahassee Memorial to UF Health in Gainesville by ShandsCair. Later in the week, he FaceTimed with his teammates, and by Friday, he’d released a video thanking the doctors who helped him and his friends and family members for supporting him.
Florida postponed four games after its loss to Florida State.
Johnson, per the Associated Press, tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the season. The virus can cause a heart condition called myocarditis. Florida officials have not discussed the specifics or the causes of the incident.
Johnson, a projected first-round pick in ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft, celebrated with his teammates after an athletic alley-oop on the sideline before walking back onto the court after a timeout and falling face-first as his stunned teammates stood around him.