Heart Health: Thunder Rookie Keyontae Johnson Follows Through On Promise With Non-Profit
Keyontae Johnson was always supposed to be an NBA player.
He knew it. His family knew it. Everyone knew it. Johnson was talented, and had the makings of a future basketball superstar — and you'd have known it, too, if you saw his game. That was one of the things that made him special, but it wasn't the only thing.
Because after just two years playing college basketball at the University of Florida, everyone knew Johnson differently. Nearly 1,000 days ago, tragedy struck him and his family. Johnson collapsed mid-game and was transported to a hospital where he was said to be in "critical condition." Many feared for Johnson's life, and rightfully so.
But Johnson didn't die. He was saved with the help of an athletic trainer who provided CPR, and later with the help of an AED — though if you ask him, there was another life-saving factor at work, too.
If you ask him, he was always saved by God.
"What's up everyone, I'm Keyontae Johnson," the Oklahoma City Thunder rookie said in a viral social media video. "A lot of y'all may know [that] I collapsed in a game on December 12, 2020. But I'm beyond grateful that God gave me a second chance to play the game that I love."
Johnson's "second-chance" inspired him to become not only an advocate for AED and heart-health, but also a partner with Heartfelt — a non-profit organization dedicated to providing cardiac screening for those who otherwise couldn't access or afford the service.
After initial screening, Johnson was eventually diagnosed with acute myocarditis, an underlying heart condition that caused his heartbeat to rapidly increase, leading to his collapse. It hadn't bothered Johnson before, and had it not been for his sudden cardiac arrest, likely wouldn't have gone noticed at all, which only adds to the scariness that comes with it.
Johnson isn't the only one to have been affected, either. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death on college campuses and the most common cause of death amongst student athletes. Typically, horror stories like Johnson's only make readers and listeners slightly more weary, but the same "That wouldn't happen to me" mindset also tends to follow.
Johnson wanted to change that.
So, after taking time to think, he did. Johnson not only partnering with Heartfelt and became an advocate for AED use, but he also started his own non-profit, called The Key to My Heart.
"Blessed to have the opportunity to help save lives through The Key to My Heart," Johnson wrote on X.com announcing the launch of his non-profit organization.
“When I share my story, I hope it motivates others to take their heart health seriously,” Johnson told The Ringer. “The combination of CPR and having an AED present was a game changer in my life. I’ve been blessed with so much, and I truly believe my purpose is to save more lives through awareness of SCA and heart disease.”
Johnson's foundation will focus on providing necessary heart-health resources to schools, organizations and communities "to help save lives". That includes information, donations and even AEDs, starting with Oak Hill Academy, the place where Johnson played high school basketball.
But it'll also center around him. Telling his story — in all of its specialness — the way he wants it to be told.
“I don’t want to be remembered as just the person that collapsed,” Johnson told the Ringer. “People are always going to remember [my collapse], [but I want] the way I bounced back ... to inspire people.”
When NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum stepped up to the podium to announce the Thunder's 50th overall selection, Johnson hoped to hear his name — just like he had for all 49 of the previous announcements.
Because Keyontae Johnson was always supposed to be an NBA player.
He knew it. His family knew it. Everyone knew it — including Oklahoma City. And when it has the chance to bring Johnson on as a rookie, it took that chance ... took the chance on him, to which he was extremely grateful.
“Hearing my name called was truly a blessing," Johnson said of his draft-night. "Being surrounded by my close friends and family. Just knowing a couple years ago my future was in question, I am just so thankful and full of gratitude to be given this opportunity, and I know I will make the most of it.”
That was Johnson's promise to himself, to his family and to the league. Johnson will tell you he was saved by God, but he'll also tell you how blessed he feels to be alive.
Now, the Thunder rookie is honoring his promise with his own non-profit, where he can help bless other families in similar situations — that's his primary goal.
And that's what makes him special.
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