Colin Castleton opens up about relationship with Keyontae Johnson, experience playing against him

When Florida took on Kansas State in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge last week, it was a reunion of sorts. Former Gators star Keyontae Johnson now plays for the Wildcats, meaning his former teammates — including Colin Castleton — got to see him back on the court for the first time since he collapsed in 2020.

It was quite a journey for Johnson to return to game action, and Castleton said he still thinks about that long and winding road when he sees his former teammate.

“Man, it was awesome,” Castleton said on The Paul Finebaum Show. “I still get goosebumps whenever I watch Keyontae play. He’s just an amazing person, amazing human. Everybody who knows him knows all the stuff he went through day in and day out. Just being able to see him play basketball again, there’s nothing more that I want to see. He’s happy.

“Anybody who sees him playing, he’s smiling, he’s super energetic and has great energy and vibes about him. Being able to see Keyontae do what he loves and that’s playing basketball, there’s nothing more I can ask for. I’m going to continue to support him. We stay in contact. Seeing him succeed is all I care about.”

Johnson — a former SEC Preseason Player of the Year — is a key part of Kansas State’s success under first-year coach Jerome Tang this season. His 18.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game lead the Wildcats as they take an 18-4 record into Saturday’s matchup against Texas.

Johnson also had an impressive performance against Florida, scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead Kansas State to the 64-50 victory in Manhattan. He discussed his feelings playing against his former team and reiterated there’s no “ill will.”

“It was very tough, but they just had to what was best for them medically and what they felt was safe for me,” Johnson said, via On3 and Gators Online’s Zach Abolverdi. “There is no ill will or hate for them. I’m still a Gator for life.”