WATCH: Kansas State, Keyontae Johnson embrace 'Rebirth Day' to mark his return from heart-related collapse in 2020
Kansas State forward Keyontae Johnson has one of the better personal stories in college basketball, and one a lot of followers are well aware of by now. More than two years ago while playing for Florida, Johnson collapsed during a regular season game on Dec. 13, 2020.
After his eye-opening medical ordeal, Johnson has made a full recovery and now plays a key role for a Top 15 ranked Kansas State team. He now refers to that date — Dec. 13 — as his ‘Rebirth Day.’
“It’s what he’s dubbed his ‘Rebirth Day.’ That was the two-year anniversary of the day he collapsed,” ESPN sideline reporter Kris Budden relayed during the first half of the Kansas-Kansas State game on Tuesday. “And the perspective that changed when he woke up, the new outlook on life.”
The Kansas State men’s basketball program also played a role in celebrating the day for Johnson in 2022, with his teammates surprising him with a rendition of a happy birthday tune — although much different from the traditional tune.
“We all just want to be here to celebrate this thing with you. It’s amazing to see what God can do. And I’m thankful for the opportunity to live life with you,” head coach Jerome Tang said to Johnson in the video. “And happy birthday, many more to come!”
Budden added one final detail from to the broadcast on Tuesday night.
“His mother narrated a video that they played for him, not a dry eye in the building,” Budden said. “He also has a tattoo that says ‘Write your own story.'”
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Kansas State went to Johnson in a key moment to upset their rival
Kansas State picked up what will likely be the biggest win of the regular season for the Wildcats in terms of resume. And it will certainly be the biggest regular season win because of who it came against: Kansas.
In overtime at home, the Wildcats led by one as the Jayhawks held the ball to take a final shot. Then Jawhawks point guard Dajuan Harris coughed it up, Kansas State came up with it, and time ran out on Kansas.
The final result was an 83-82 win in overtime and a purple-clad court storming in Manhattan, Kansas.
The play that gave Kansas State the final lead was a bold call from head coach Jerome Tang out of a timeout: A lob to forward Keyontae Johnson, who finished with 24 points.