Excitement builds around young basketball players breaking into the NBA or college basketball circuits each year, and Keyonate Johnson is one such player to watch out for. Johnson is a college basketball player for the Kansas State Wildcats and has made valuable contributions and remarkable performances for the team.
Early life and high school career
It all begins with Marrecus Keyontae Johnson, a name that would soon be known throughout the land. Born on May 24, 2000, in Virginia, Johnson’s love for basketball began to flourish at a young age. He honed his skills at Norview High School. But it was not until he transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, that he truly began to shine. With each game, he dazzled audiences with lightning-fast moves and unstoppable shots. Seeking to challenge himself further, he transferred again, this time to Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.
And, What an incredible season it was! Johnson dominated the court, scoring at least 18 points in 19 of Oak Hill’s games. His astonishing performance during the Nike EYBL finals at Peach Jam, where he averaged 12.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, left spectators speechless. He was rated a promising four-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN and was classified as a top 100 recruit. With offers pouring in from Providence, Minnesota, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech, Johnson had his choices. However, he ultimately chose to play for the University of Florida.
College career
As a freshman, Johnson started his journey at Florida as a reserve. However, he soon rose and became the starting small forward. Eventually, he started the final 20 games of the season, proving to be a valuable and critical side member with his impressive stats of 8.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
But that was just the beginning of Johnson’s rise to stardom. He unleashed his full potential in his sophomore year, averaging 14 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He dominated the court like none other, and his hard work paid off when he was named first-team All-SEC. One of his most memorable games was against LSU when he delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a career-high 25 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a breathtaking 81-66 win!
Nevertheless, Johnson’s hopes for collegiate success were almost dashed when tragedy struck. He passed out on the court during a game against Florida State in December 2020, shocking everyone in basketball. Johnson was in critical but stable condition when he was rushed to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. While holding its breath and hoping for his recovery, the entire country. However, Johnson fought back and won in champion fashion. He was transported back to Gainesville, Florida, for additional treatment after spending three days in a medically induced coma. On December 28, he returned to the club as a coach with his unbreakable spirit.
Despite such hardship, Johnson’s passion for the sport never wavered. In August 2022, he committed to Kansas State and joined the transfer portal. He made history during his debut year with the Wildcats, winning the prestigious Big 12 Newcomer of the Year award! And as if that weren’t enough, he and his colleague Markquis Nowell were named to the First Team All-Big 12!
Statistical data
Johnson’s basketball career shows nothing but success in the metrics. As a freshman, he played 36 games, averaging 23.8 minutes per game. His field goal percentage was 47%, his three-point percentage was 36.5, and his free throw percentage was 64.3%.
He truly is unmatched. He had a game average of 6.4 boards, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.3 blocks. He started every game as a sophomore and saw action for 31.3 minutes on average. Johnson averaged 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, shooting 54.4 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range, and 76.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Stats from his final year are impressive, with 36 games, 34.1 minutes of average, and a 51.6% field goal percentage, 40.5% from beyond the arc, and 17.4 points per game. He also averaged 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.
NBA Draft Prospects
Johnson’s record has placed him among the Top 50 prospects for the NBA Draft 2023. He has scored himself a second-round pick at the upcoming NBA Draft 2023. Hopefully, he will have a great start to his NBA career!
