Florida’s Keyontae Johnson continues to rack up the accolades

Sports Illustrated anointed Florida Gators forward Keyontae Johnson its preseason SEC Player of the Year and picks UF to finish fourth.

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Florida Gators forward Keyotnae Johnson has been getting a lot of attention heading into the 2020-21 men’s basketball season, earning honors and accolades entering his third year in Gainesville. Chalk another up on the board, as Sports Illustrated also recognized the potency of his game in their preseason review of the Southeastern Conference.

Thus far, Johnson has been named to the Naismith Award and Julius Erving Award watch lists, as well as being named Preseason SEC Player of the Year by the conference as well as CBS Sports. Now, SI has also declared the 6-foot-5-inch forward out of Norfolk, Va., its player of the year for the league as well.

Here is what they had to say.

Johnson is the ultimate stat-sheet stuffer and, arguably, the best two-way player in the SEC. Last season, Johnson improved in virtually every category from the previous year, averaging 14 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals a game while shooting 54% from the field. After withdrawing his name from the NBA draft, Johnson will be asked to do even more with the departure of Andrew Nembhard, who transferred to Gonzaga. The Gators will need him to be a star, and Johnson is more than capable of filling the order.

Additionally, the article weighed in on predicting where in the standings the Gators will finish by season’s end. While the prognostication was not terribly bullish, it recognizes the level of talent Mike White has on his squad this winter.

4. Florida

Johnson is the engine for the Gators, pumping in 14 points a game last season while shooting 54% from the field. The Gators have capable talent and leadership surrounding him this season and that should make all the difference. Mike White will look to junior transfers Tyree Appleby and Anthony Duruji to help Johnson lead, and Scottie Lewis could be on the brink of a breakout season. Nembhard transferring to Gonzaga will give Tre Mann the keys to the show, and Noah Locke will also have an expanded role for the talented Gators.

The Gators tip off their season-opening game next Wednesday against UMass-Lowell in the Basketball Hall of Fame Bubbleville tournament held in Uncasville, Conn.

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