Turning a Dark Day into a Celebration
Dec 19, 2022 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Last Monday was Keyontae Johnson's birthday, the second anniversary of his "rebirth," and there aren't too many things more special than a good birthday. And this birthday was good, an unforgettable video message from his mother, a 30-second pat on the back from Dick Vitale, and there was head coach Jerome Tang and his coaching staff and his teammates, and they filled the locker room and sang "HAPPY BIRRRRTH-DAY! HAPP-EEEE BIRTH-DAYYYY! HAPPY BIRRRTH-DAY TO YOU!" — reminders everywhere that December 12, the day that it all seemed to end, became the start of the greatest comeback story in college basketball this season.
"It's a Rebirth Day," Johnson says, "from the day I collapsed."
And he smiles. And it's great to see him smile.
Johnson is a centerpiece of mini-conquests, about one step at a time, about fighting back tears when things appeared bleak, and about gratefulness, a teary made-for-a-movie epic in which he stars as the ultimate hero of second chances, because there he was December 12, 2020, the day that everything changed, the day that he cannot remember, the day that college basketball will never forget.
"I feel like the entire world saw what happened to Keyontae that day," says K-State forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Johnson's roommate. "For him to be here with us now, it's miracle. It's very special. And that's my roommate. That's my guy."
Last Monday, K-State associate head coach Ulric Maligi told Johnson that he had some clips that he wanted them to study in his office at Ice Family Basketball Center. Johnson came to his office. Maligi told him that they should go down to the basketball court to better demonstrate the clips. Maligi got Johnson to go into the locker room. Surprise! Tang began the birthday celebration for the Wildcats star. They ate lemon cake. They watched a video narrated by Johnson's mother, Sharnika, which also featured a message by Vitale. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.
"It's mommy," Sharnika said. "I've always told you since you were a little boy that you were special, and you were God's child. On December 12, 2022, I want to say that God has his hands on you. Key, I'm so proud of who you are, so proud of your determination to reach your goals, so proud of how you continue to push forward through adversity, how focused and driven you are. You really inspire me. I'm so proud you know who God is and that you know that God is the head and the leader of your life. Son, I challenge you to continue to push forward, to continue to stay hungry and humble, and to continue to do what God has you on this earth to do. Remember, to whom much is given much is required.
"Key, I am so proud of you. Never give up and never stop chasing your dreams."
"I thank God every day," Johnson said afterward. "Without Him, I wouldn't be here. He gave me a second chance at life. Every day, before I get on the court, I just thank Him, and keep praying for a healthy season. It means a lot for people to recognize me, and it just shows the work I've put in and how much I've overcome over the years.
"Without Him, I wouldn't be here."
Basketball dreams seemed so far away on December 12, 2020. Yes, images from the video shown to the team at the "Rebirth" celebration showed comebacks and victories. Here's what the video didn't show: That a doctor, no, an angel, came down from out of the stands, and instructed medical staff to shock Johnson's heart with a defibrillator.
"If she had never run onto the court, I probably wouldn't be here right now," Johnson said at Big 12 Media Day.
It was so scary, all of it, and the images on one Rebirth video on Johnson's Twitter page showed teammates at Florida crying on the court that fateful day — crisp reminders that this was no dream, no nightmare, but an ugly collision with reality, and a reinforcement that defibrillator's save lives.
One saved Johnson. And it's an occasion to be celebrated forever and ever — once Johnson has left K-State and has moved onto professional basketball, and once Johnson has children of his own and they wonder why their father has two birthdays, and once Johnson sits grandkids on his lap, and says, "I have a story to tell you," and the memories of December 12 might rewind to Tallahassee, when an angel saved him.
These days, Johnson is enjoying life. Saturday night against Nebraska, in front of a packed house at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Johnson had a game-high 23 points and 11 rebounds along with two assists and a career-tying four steals in 34 minutes during the Wildcats' 71-56 win over the Huskers.
"The kid is a hell of a talent," Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg said. "He's a pro, man. A guy with a history of heart disease, it's great to see him out there doing what he loves and seeing him with the passion. I wish him nothing but the best. It's almost like a little club we have. My heart condition ended my career.
"He has a very bright future ahead of him."
Johnson ranks second in the Big 12 Conference in points (17.8), first in field-goal percentage (60.3%), eighth in free-thr0w percentage (76.5%), sixth in rebounds (6.8), 12th in steals (1.6), and fifth in minutes played (31.3).
He's not only contributing, but he's also the most well-rounded player in the Big 12. It's amazing to watch, really.
"He plays with a freedom," Tang says, "and he does it so effortlessly."
The tattoo upon Johnson's biceps reads, "WRITE YOUR OWN STORY." He's authoring quite a tale in Manhattan. He's a major reason why K-State is 10-1 for the first time in a decade and Tang is off to best start ever by a first-year K-State head coach.
"I'm very thankful that Keyontae is getting to play again," Tang says. "I'm very humbled that his family trusts our staff to be the staff that he plays for and with. I'm not his parents, but I understand that every time that he steps onto the court, there's a risk factor for every guy. Every time my kids get into a car, there's a risk factor.
"He willing to get into the car with us and say, 'Coach, I'm going to trust you.' The faith that he has, his own personal faith allows him to go out there and play."
On December 12, 2020, Johnson awakened in a room at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. He heard his mother's voice. Then he went back to sleep. The heavy medicines caused him to slip in and out of consciousness. Then he awoke again and saw his mom. He saw his father walk into the room. He knew that they hadn't traveled to attend the game at Florida State. But now they were here.
"That's when I knew something was wrong," Johnson said at Big 12 Media Day.
His mother told him what happened.
She told him about the angel.
His life was saved.
And that's cause for celebration every day of the year.
Last Monday was Keyontae Johnson's birthday, the second anniversary of his "rebirth," and there aren't too many things more special than a good birthday. And this birthday was good, an unforgettable video message from his mother, a 30-second pat on the back from Dick Vitale, and there was head coach Jerome Tang and his coaching staff and his teammates, and they filled the locker room and sang "HAPPY BIRRRRTH-DAY! HAPP-EEEE BIRTH-DAYYYY! HAPPY BIRRRTH-DAY TO YOU!" — reminders everywhere that December 12, the day that it all seemed to end, became the start of the greatest comeback story in college basketball this season.
"It's a Rebirth Day," Johnson says, "from the day I collapsed."
And he smiles. And it's great to see him smile.
Everyone remembers. Two years ago, Johnson, the former Florida star, came out of timeout and the 2020-21 SEC Preseason Player of the Year collapsed face-first onto the court at Florida State.Happy Rebirthday @Keyontae 🎉 We're thankful for every day with you #KStateMBB x EMAW https://t.co/MXOnaKnJXi pic.twitter.com/N10dSgfIXT
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) December 13, 2022
Johnson is a centerpiece of mini-conquests, about one step at a time, about fighting back tears when things appeared bleak, and about gratefulness, a teary made-for-a-movie epic in which he stars as the ultimate hero of second chances, because there he was December 12, 2020, the day that everything changed, the day that he cannot remember, the day that college basketball will never forget.
"I feel like the entire world saw what happened to Keyontae that day," says K-State forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Johnson's roommate. "For him to be here with us now, it's miracle. It's very special. And that's my roommate. That's my guy."
Last Monday, K-State associate head coach Ulric Maligi told Johnson that he had some clips that he wanted them to study in his office at Ice Family Basketball Center. Johnson came to his office. Maligi told him that they should go down to the basketball court to better demonstrate the clips. Maligi got Johnson to go into the locker room. Surprise! Tang began the birthday celebration for the Wildcats star. They ate lemon cake. They watched a video narrated by Johnson's mother, Sharnika, which also featured a message by Vitale. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.
"It's mommy," Sharnika said. "I've always told you since you were a little boy that you were special, and you were God's child. On December 12, 2022, I want to say that God has his hands on you. Key, I'm so proud of who you are, so proud of your determination to reach your goals, so proud of how you continue to push forward through adversity, how focused and driven you are. You really inspire me. I'm so proud you know who God is and that you know that God is the head and the leader of your life. Son, I challenge you to continue to push forward, to continue to stay hungry and humble, and to continue to do what God has you on this earth to do. Remember, to whom much is given much is required.
"Key, I am so proud of you. Never give up and never stop chasing your dreams."
Johnson is chasing his dreams. It began with K-State's season-opening 93-59 win over UTRGV.Rebirth Day pic.twitter.com/uwat3JtMaF
— Keyontae (@Keyontae) December 13, 2022
"I thank God every day," Johnson said afterward. "Without Him, I wouldn't be here. He gave me a second chance at life. Every day, before I get on the court, I just thank Him, and keep praying for a healthy season. It means a lot for people to recognize me, and it just shows the work I've put in and how much I've overcome over the years.
"Without Him, I wouldn't be here."
Basketball dreams seemed so far away on December 12, 2020. Yes, images from the video shown to the team at the "Rebirth" celebration showed comebacks and victories. Here's what the video didn't show: That a doctor, no, an angel, came down from out of the stands, and instructed medical staff to shock Johnson's heart with a defibrillator.
"If she had never run onto the court, I probably wouldn't be here right now," Johnson said at Big 12 Media Day.
It was so scary, all of it, and the images on one Rebirth video on Johnson's Twitter page showed teammates at Florida crying on the court that fateful day — crisp reminders that this was no dream, no nightmare, but an ugly collision with reality, and a reinforcement that defibrillator's save lives.
One saved Johnson. And it's an occasion to be celebrated forever and ever — once Johnson has left K-State and has moved onto professional basketball, and once Johnson has children of his own and they wonder why their father has two birthdays, and once Johnson sits grandkids on his lap, and says, "I have a story to tell you," and the memories of December 12 might rewind to Tallahassee, when an angel saved him.
These days, Johnson is enjoying life. Saturday night against Nebraska, in front of a packed house at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Johnson had a game-high 23 points and 11 rebounds along with two assists and a career-tying four steals in 34 minutes during the Wildcats' 71-56 win over the Huskers.
"The kid is a hell of a talent," Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg said. "He's a pro, man. A guy with a history of heart disease, it's great to see him out there doing what he loves and seeing him with the passion. I wish him nothing but the best. It's almost like a little club we have. My heart condition ended my career.
"He has a very bright future ahead of him."
Johnson ranks second in the Big 12 Conference in points (17.8), first in field-goal percentage (60.3%), eighth in free-thr0w percentage (76.5%), sixth in rebounds (6.8), 12th in steals (1.6), and fifth in minutes played (31.3).
He's not only contributing, but he's also the most well-rounded player in the Big 12. It's amazing to watch, really.
"He plays with a freedom," Tang says, "and he does it so effortlessly."
The tattoo upon Johnson's biceps reads, "WRITE YOUR OWN STORY." He's authoring quite a tale in Manhattan. He's a major reason why K-State is 10-1 for the first time in a decade and Tang is off to best start ever by a first-year K-State head coach.
"I'm very thankful that Keyontae is getting to play again," Tang says. "I'm very humbled that his family trusts our staff to be the staff that he plays for and with. I'm not his parents, but I understand that every time that he steps onto the court, there's a risk factor for every guy. Every time my kids get into a car, there's a risk factor.
"He willing to get into the car with us and say, 'Coach, I'm going to trust you.' The faith that he has, his own personal faith allows him to go out there and play."
On December 12, 2020, Johnson awakened in a room at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. He heard his mother's voice. Then he went back to sleep. The heavy medicines caused him to slip in and out of consciousness. Then he awoke again and saw his mom. He saw his father walk into the room. He knew that they hadn't traveled to attend the game at Florida State. But now they were here.
"That's when I knew something was wrong," Johnson said at Big 12 Media Day.
His mother told him what happened.
She told him about the angel.
His life was saved.
And that's cause for celebration every day of the year.
Players Mentioned
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