Florida Gators star forward Keyontae Johnson remains hospitalized Monday after collapsing on the court during a game Saturday against rival Florida State.
Johnson, the Southeastern Conference’s preseason player of the year, was taken off the floor on a stretcher after collapsing during a timeout.
"We appreciate all the medical personnel who have helped Keyontae," Scott Stricklin, the Florida athletic director, said in a statement Sunday that was reported by NBC News. "Keyontae received terrific care on site by the FSU Staff and at Tallahassee Memorial, which has worked in consultation with UF Health. We're glad his parents can be by his side, and they all feel the support of Gator Nation."
Johnson had just completed a dunk and had celebrated with teammates in a huddle. When the huddle broke, Johnson collapsed.
As was the case with many Florida players, Johnson had tested positive for COVID-19 this summer. Although the cause of Johnson’s collapse was not immediately known, COVID-19 is known to do lasting damage to the heart muscle, a condition known as myocarditis.
