Calipari got emotional for Keyontae Johnson, offered to let him score

DrewFranklinKSR

On3 image — (Photo: James Gilbert / Stringer via Getty Images)

Before Kentucky and Florida tipped off down in Gainesville on Saturday, Florida honored its senior, Keyontae Johnson, with a ceremonial spot in the starting five. A special and heartwarming moment, Johnson was in a Florida uniform for the first time since December 2020 when he collapsed during a game against Florida State in Tallahassee.

15 months after Johnson nearly died, the SEC’s 2020 Preseason Player of the Year said of his Senior Day start, “This is a day you’ll never forget.”

A moment to be remembered forever 🧡💙

Thankful for you @Keyontae and can’t wait to see the big things you do 🐊 pic.twitter.com/sAMppVeQX0
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) March 5, 2022

On Senior Day, Johnson dribbled the ball around while hugging his teammates, then kissed the O’Connell Center floor before he headed back to the bench 10 seconds into the game. John Calipari gave him a big hug before Johnson returned to his seat.

“I hugged him and I said I wish you were playing,” Calipari explained after the game. “I got a little emotional.”

Calipari also revealed he offered an open layup to Florida head coach Mike White so Johnson could get two more points to conclude his Florida career, but White and Florida’s medical team passed on too much activity as a precaution.

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“What I told them to do is, let him go score a basket and put it in the books,” Calipari said, shrugging off any concerns about going down 2-0. “It’s one basket… it’s a 40-minute game.”

To further that point, Calipari recalled playing a 1-3-1 zone to honor Joe B. Hall on the first defensive possession against Tennessee, only to allow a quick two points to the Vols. Kentucky still beat Tennessee by 28.

“Two points, yeah it may come down to it, and if it does, good for that,” he said.

Even without the layup, Johnson got his moment and it was an emotional scene in Gainesville. Calipari said, “This kid, his whole life had been to be in this moment and these kind of games, and it was taken from him, so but good for Florida for figuring out a way to really honor him and their fans for what they’ve done.”