Kansas State basketball's Keyontae Johnson declares for NBA Draft, but leaves door open

For Kansas State men's basketball fans wishing they had more than just one season of Keyontae Johnson, the Wildcats' All-America forward offered a glimmer of hope over the weekend.

In a social media announcement that he is declaring for the NBA Draft, Johnson also left the door open for a return to the Wildcats in the unlikely event that his professional plans don't pan out.

"I will be moving on to the next chapter in my life, but I will still need your love, support, and most importantly your prayers," Johnson wrote in a letter thanking K-State after a season in which he helped lead the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight. "With that being said, I will be entering my name in the 2023 NBA Draft while maintaining my eligibility.

"My story continues to be written."

Johnson's story has indeed been a remarkable one. After starting his career at Florida but missing most of the two previous seasons because of a heart condition, he was finally cleared medically last August and signed with K-State.

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Johnson averaged 17.4 points and a team-high 6.8 rebounds per game for a K-State team that exceeded all expectations under first-year coach Jerome Tang by compiling a 26-10 record, tying for third place in the Big 12 and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed.

Johnson, a first-team all-conference pick and third-team All-American for the Wildcats, will work out for and be evaluated by NBA scouts before making his final decision by June 12. But most mock drafts have him going in the early-to-mid second round, and he will turn 23 in May, which makes it more unlikely that he delays his pro career any further.

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Still, the 2022-23 season was quite a comeback tale for Johnson, who as a Florida sophomore in 2019-20 was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection and then the 2020-21 SEC preseason player of the year.

Four games into his junior year, during a Dec. 20, 2020, game at Florida State, Johnson collapsed on the court and was rushed to the hospital, where he spent three days in a coma. He did not play again for the Gators, serving instead as a student coach and graduating in the spring of 2022.

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Instead of cashing in on an insurance policy worth several million dollars, Johnson was determined to resume his playing career. He was an immediate impact player for K-State, leading the Wildcats in scoring for most of the season before being overtaken by point guard Markquis Nowell during an incredible NCAA Tournament run.

"God blessed me with another opportunity in life to play the game I love. On Aug. 20 I committed to Kansas State, and it was the beginning of the best season of my collegiate career, hands down," Johnson wrote in his social media post. "I was welcomed with open arms by the coaching staff, my teammates, and the K-State fans. The way you all welcomed me, embraced me, supported and encouraged me exceeded any and all expectations I had arriving in Manhattan.

"The brothers I gained and the staff always pushed me to leave it all on the court, and I will never forget that! Kansas State, I gave you guys my blood, sweat and tears, and in return, you all gave me the confidence I needed to take this next step, one that I have dreamed of my whole life. I bet on myself, but I wouldn't be here without you, which is why this announcement is so bittersweet."

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State basketball forward Keyontae Johnson to enter NBA Draft