GAINESVILLE, Fla – The hope for Keyontae Johnson of Florida is to be “happy and healthy” this season.

Coach Mike White said on Tuesday Johnson had not been medically cleared to train, even though it had been almost 10 months since the star striker collapsed on the pitch and was rushed to a nearby hospital. White said “Coach Key” will remain an integral part of the team.

“[We hope] he continues to be the awesome young man that he is, continues to stay ready for whatever awaits him, continues to be a great person, a great teammate, an extension of our staff, of course, ”said White. “It’s a great time Gator. He’s an awesome Gator in my mind.

“No change in status. Has not been authorized at this point, but it plays a very important role in what we do.”

Johnson, the 2020 Southeastern Conference preseason player of the year, slammed his head first to the ground seconds after coming out of a timeout during a Dec. 12 game in Florida. State. Teammates, coaches, opponents and fans watched in shock as Johnson became a traumatized patient.

Her family said in February that her health was unrelated to a previous positive COVID-19 test. But the family did not say what doctors believed caused Johnson’s downfall without warning.

He spent two nights in the hospital before being flown back to Gainesville with his mother by his side. His recovery was a slow process. He was first able to follow simple commands. He then began to breathe on his own. He eventually chatted with friends and teammates via FaceTime.

He made his first public comment on December 18, thanking everyone for their prayers and support. He was released from hospital four days later, 10 days after his collapse and in time to spend Christmas with his family and then be on hand for Florida’s first practice after a two-week hiatus during which the Gators canceled four games.

Florida reached their fourth straight NCAA tournament despite playing most of the season without Johnson.

“The resilience that these young men displayed was incredible,” White said.

The Gators lost two players to the NBA and four more to the transfer portal. White restored his roster by signing Charleston Southern guard Phlandrous Fleming Jr., Penn State guard Myreon Jones, Kansas City guard Brandon McKissic and Boston College forward CJ Felder.

White would also like to have Johnson in the mix, but he doesn’t count.

Johnson hosted a basketball camp for about 60 kids this summer, paid for the effort as he took advantage of new NCAA rules that allow current student-athletes to make money from their names, image or likeness. He continues to “patiently wait” for a medical clearance that may never arrive.

In the meantime, he resumed his role as Florida’s additional coach and carried a whistle during the team’s first practice on Tuesday.

“He’s in my ear with certain exercises or certain things that he notices,” White said. “We lost a tag team free throw competition and he said, ‘Coach, I think we have to raise the bar here and double down and we turn that 22 into a 44. Let’s get back to it. “

“He’s got a good pulse on what’s going on with these guys.”