Keyontae Johnson has new role with Florida as he continues recovery from scary collapse

Florida star forward Keyontae Johnson is back in the basketball program’s practice facility as he continues to recover per coach Mike White.

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Editor’s note: This article was originally published by USA TODAY Sports and has been republished in its entirety below.

Florida star forward Keyontae Johnson is back in the basketball program’s practice facility as he continues to recover, UF coach Mike White, speaking for the first time since Johnson’s collapse Dec. 12, said Monday.

“Keyontae Johnson is back with us and doing well,” White said on the SEC’s weekly teleconference. “He was at practice this morning and yesterday afternoon. He’s in good spirits, he’s helping us coach. He actually blew a whistle yesterday.”

Johnson was released from the hospital Dec. 21, a week after collapsing against FSU. The Gators practiced Sunday for the first time in 15 days and have had two practices since as they prepare to open conference play Wednesday at Vanderbilt.

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White said he couldn’t discuss the specifics of Johnson’s medical situation, saying any further announcements will come from Johnson’s family. The Gainesville Sun’s Zach Abolverdi reported Johnson was diagnosed with acute myocarditis after undergoing a cardiac MRI.

“There’s not a lot I can say about Keyontae from a medical standpoint. His past, current and future medical condition, because of privacy laws and incomplete information on my end, and most importantly because it’s not my role in this process, his medical team and his family are leading that front,” White said, “so any decisions, any announcements, will come from them.”

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