Gainesville, Florida – Florida ahead Quintay Johnson, who collapsed throughout a sport in December 2020 and hasn’t practiced or performed since, received the celebratory begin on the massive day with a 71-63 loss to 7-seeded Kentucky on Saturday.
Johnson was on the ground for taking the primary two opening ideas, getting the basketball from teammate Colin Castleton and taking a number of dribbles earlier than handing it over to an official. He then hugged the rookie gamers on each groups, did a mid-court push-up and kissed the large Gators brand – all whereas receiving a standing ovation.
After acknowledging the followers, Johnson shook palms with Kentucky coach John Calipari earlier than returning to the Florida bench to embrace coach Mike White and the remainder of the Florida teaching employees and gamers.
Johnson, 22, was considered one of seven Florida senior gamers to be honored about 10 minutes earlier than the sport. His mother and father and little daughter have been available for the get together. He rapidly modified from denims and a T-shirt to his quantity 11 uniform and was on the ground for the throwing traces. He put his mobile phone in his shorts for the primary time, a transparent signal of how lengthy it has been since he is been in a sport.
The senior participant from Norfolk, Virginia is predicted to show professional and is making an attempt to get medical clearance to work with NBA groups earlier than the draft. He additionally has a $5 million insurance coverage coverage that may repay if he by no means performs skilled soccer.
Johnson’s coverage went into impact in July 2020, 5 months earlier than his face first shattered in courtroom in Florida. He has taken on the position of “Key Coach” ever since.
The Southeastern Convention Pre-season Participant of the Yr in 2020 has turned his consideration towards pursuing a possible profession within the NBA. He wants medical clearance – one thing that hasn’t occurred within the 15 months since his collapse – after which move any variety of checks earlier than being allowed to attend this yr’s NBA mix and/or work privately with groups.
Johnson’s coverage offers him sufficient flexibility to take steps towards taking part in professionally and nonetheless be capable of reverse course and file an insurance coverage declare. If he releases the insurance coverage coverage that Florida paid the premiums for, there may be an choice for him to take the $5 million as a lump sum. There is no such thing as a timeline or deadline for Johnson to decide about his future.
Johnson has spent a lot of the previous two seasons cheering his teammates off the bench as he’s nonetheless enrolled at school and on scholarship. He’s scheduled to graduate subsequent month.
The Gators say they wish to put him on the bottom, however in addition they wish to shield him and assist him make the very best selections for his long-term well being and monetary future.
He averaged 14 factors and seven.1 rebounds as a sophomore in 2019-20 and fired 54% from the sphere whereas averaging 31.3 minutes. He was anticipated to do higher final season, however he instantly grew to become a affected person with trauma on December twelfth. He collapsed onto the courtroom seconds after breaking a crew rally in Sport 4 of the COVID-19 late season.
Johnson obtained emergency medical consideration in entrance of his horrified teammates, opponents and followers earlier than being rushed to Tallahassee Hospital. He spent 10 nights in hospitals and got here dwelling in time to have fun Christmas along with his household. He was available for his first coaching in Florida after a two-week hiatus.
Johnson’s mother and father mentioned final yr that their son’s breakdown was not linked to a earlier constructive check for COVID-19, citing an advisory crew that included specialists from 4 extremely revered medical colleges. The household didn’t say what the docs believed induced the accident.
