The Oklahoma City Thunder have selected Keyontae Johnson, out of Kansas State, with the 50th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Sam Presti and Acie Law did their research on Johnson, and they simply found someone who would die for basketball…literally.
In a poignant moment during a game against Florida State on December 12, 2020, playing for his former school, Florida, Johnson experienced a sudden collapse that led to his urgent hospitalization.
For three days, he remained in a medically induced coma as medical professionals attended to him. As a result of this distressing incident, he made the decision to sit out the remainder of that season and the entirety of the subsequent one. Eventually, Johnson decided to transfer to Kansas State, where he made a triumphant return to the court, quickly establishing himself as a vital contributor to a team that advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
At a crossroads, Johnson faced the choice of accepting a substantial insurance settlement worth $5M, knowing that doing so would render him ineligible for professional basketball. Yet, he courageously opted not to pursue the monetary compensation. Instead, he placed his faith in his abilities and embarked on a journey of self-belief. It was a bold move, and one that ultimately paid off as the Thunder organization acknowledged his unwavering determination.
How does he fit with the Thunder?
Johnson averaged 17.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 51.6% shooting and 40.5% from 3.
I have an opinion on Johnson, but I’ll leave that idea for my next story, but needless to say, he’s an ideal Thunder player in every intangible way, and on the court, he fits well too. I see him as a guy that can be inserted on day one and contribute immediately.
