Florida Gators’ Keyontae Johnson in critical condition after collapsing during FSU game

Florida Gators basketball star Keyontae Johnson is in critical but stable condition after collapsing during the first half of UF’s rivalry game against Florida State on Saturday.

Medical personnel used a stretcher to take him off the floor. He was quickly taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for further evaluation.

Johnson, a junior forward, was a first-team all-conference selection by SEC coaches last year and was the league’s preseason player of the year.

The Virginia native led the Gators with 14 points per game last season and has averaged a team-high 19.7 ppg this year. He’s also UF’s leading rebounder, averaging 6.0 per game.

The No. 20 Seminoles won 83-71. The Gators did not have an additional update on his condition immediately after the game.

UF’s team will return to Gainesville, but head coach Mike White will remain in Tallahassee to be with Johnson, a UF spokesman said. White did not speak with reporters after the game but tweeted: “Please keep praying for @Keyontae and his family. We all love him.”

FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said some of his players cried after Johnson collapsed. Several of them knelt in prayer during the huddle afterward.

Hamilton said it was his understanding that the Gators wanted to continue playing, even after the traumatic experience.

“We’re just all hopeful and praying that he’s okay,” Hamilton said.