Young Keyontae Johnson’s time as a basketball player at Kansas State may be drawing to a close, as the player just announced that he’s drafting for the 2023 NBA draft this coming June. However, the 22-year-old decided to maintain his college eligibility.
The first-choice goalkeeper left a heartfelt message for his team, hoping to turn professional but thanking each and every one of them for their support in the past year.
Keyontae Johnson has officially entered the NBA Draft, but will retain eligibilityhttps://t.co/7PKnm3lCOc
– KMAN Radio News (@ 1350KMAN) April 24, 2023
“I was blessed with another chance in life and to play the game I love. August 20th I committed to Kansas State and it was the start of the best season of my college career, go!” he wrote on social media.
The young athlete realized how important his reception was as soon as he set foot in Kansas for the first time. “I was greeted with open arms by the coaching staff, my teammates, and the fans at K-State,” Johnson recalled. “The way you welcomed me, embraced me, supported me, and embraced me, exceeded any and all expectations I had had in Manhattan.
“The brotherhood I had and the staff always pushed me to drop everything on the field and I will never forget that!”
The Wildcats guard averaged 17.4 points and 6.8 rebounds over 36 games at Kansas, and most recently helped guide his college to reach the Elite Eight round of this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.
“I gave you my Kansas State blood, sweat, and tears, and in return you have all given me the confidence I need to take this next step, one I have dreamed of my whole life,” he said. “I bet on myself, but I wouldn’t be here without you. Which is why this ad is so bittersweet.”
Johnson could retain his collegiate eligibility because he did not hire an agent
The young player has not yet hired an agent, so college eligibility is still available to him. For now, Johnson is comfortable testing the draft waters and hopefully receives as much NBA feedback as possible while he’s at it.
He asked his audience, “I will move on to the next chapter of my life, but I will still need your love, support, and most importantly, your prayers.” “With this, I will be entering my name in the 2023 NBA Draft while maintaining my eligibility. My story continues to be written…”
Take a look at his highlights from the previous edition of March Madness:
Johnson began his college career playing for the Florida Gators, after becoming a 4-star recruit in the class of 2018. After two full years of playing with them, he collapsed to the floor during a contest in 2020 due to acute myocarditis.
This meant that the player was sidelined until the end of the 2020/21 season, but also missed the following season. Finally, he was cleared to return and transferred to Kansas State, and now he is a likely second-round pick in the upcoming NBA draft.