Overview
Keyontae Johnson wraps up his fifth collegiate season as a Third-team All-American, First-team All-Big 12, and the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. The road to this point was anything but easy for Johnson. In December 2020, Johnson collapsed on the court after suffering mid-game heart inflammation (acute myocarditis). Johnson had the opportunity to accept an NCAA insurance settlement, but it would’ve ended his playing career. Johnson’s resurgent 2022-23 season at Kansas State marked his first playing time since the incident. Averaging 17.4 points and 6.8 rebounds on 51.4% shooting, Johnson was a central figure in Kansas State’s Elite 8 run.
Analysis
Johnson possesses a reliable 3-point stroke and increased foul-drawing prowess. Johnson connected on 38.9% of his 3-point attempts across parts of four collegiate seasons. His 4.2 free-throw attempts per game this season marked a career best. Johnson moves well without the ball but will also pressure the rim and outmuscle opponents. His physicality is effective on defense too, as opponents shot just 32.6% from the field with Johnson as the primary defender this season.
Projection
Johnson doesn’t have a resounding signature strength, but his reliable, multi-dimensional scoring is notable. Being a wing in the NBA comes with churn — it’s a tough ask. He has the height of a shooting guard but the weight of a small forward, so how he’s used might change based on lineup size. His fundamentally sound two-way game gives him a chance to carve out a role.
— Profile by RotoWire