Not so sure about that. He could become a grad asst and begin a Coaching career.. there are worse things. That’s if he isn’t signed off to play
You kidding me? Dude was a projected lottery pick. In comparison, being a grad assistant is bagging groceries at Publix.
The silence and lack of a decision is baffling. Actually - it's vintage Florida. I get that this is a delicate situation, and one that requires real caution and diligence. But we are approaching one year since the incident, and not a word regarding his diagnosis. And while Key openly states his desire and intent to play basketball . . . Florida provides absolutely no comment. It's just weird.
My guess is UF does not wish to make an official announcement if the decision is "NO", probably considers a "NO" answer awkward from a PC point of view. If the decision is yes I see no reason why an announcement would not be made. But then again who knows?? A very unfortunate circumstance.
My thought is, if Keyontae wants to play, and was given a "no" by UF, he'd be gone before the school year looking at a place to take him. He isn't, so he isn't playing for anyone else this year,(of course he could transfer after fall) so we have the best shot.
UF said a while back that any further updates would come from Key. Not sure what else they can say really. They can’t speak to his health without his permission, his school status is private, and his family clearly is fairly private. So folks should be looking to Key to understand where things are with this health, and he hasn’t chosen to talk about his journey. Not really our right to know anyway.
Ok- but hasn’t Key spoken and made it known that he intends to play and is waiting on Florida’s decision on allowing him to do so? Speaking of which... I found it odd that Keyontae gave an update on his status and intentions, but not through the University, UAA, Gatorzone, Chris Harry, etc... but rather the Orlando Sentinel. Florida just seems entirely removed from the whole situation. I suspect we will roll into practice... and then, the season.... with no official word on Key’s status with the team. And that is totally bizarre.
I don’t think so, but maybe I missed it. I mean I guess between the lines, yeah. But again, it’s more on Key (if he chooses) to say where his health is at. That would answer the question of why he isn’t yet cleared. But UF can’t really say much without talking about his health, which is private info. Unless Key authorized them to. But doesn’t sound like he is choosing to say a lot (which is completely his choice to be respected).
Key has said and has tweeted about his wanting to play, and his belief that he can do so. To me- his comments seemed very thinly veiled... that he was placing this at the feet of UF, and getting their needed clearance. I think Florida is perfectly capable of saying that Keyontae is not cleared to play. But even that isn’t stated. If Florida is ultimately going to render a decision on its comfort-level with Ketontae playing as a Gator... it should be able to state that position. No? And at what point is that inevitable decision made? And look- I am absolutely thrilled Keyontae is healthy. And I am not looking to pry into his private medical details. There were days during which we were all praying he would live. Thankfully - we are now in the very fortunate position to ask: Can he play basketball at UF? And perhaps I’m reading things wrong... but i think we are all ... Key included ... waiting for UF to answer.
Semantics I guess. Sure they are waiting on UF, but UF is waiting on a diagnosis. I’m sure he’s been told that without knowing what it was and whether it can be managed he won’t be cleared. Would seem common sense, UF isn’t just going to let him back after what happened simply because time has passed. If you are asking UF to state that publicly, I don’t know what that would serve except to state the obvious. And they would need Key’s permission to do so because it involves private info, which he may or may not give. He may not want it stated publicly that they still don’t know. Or they may know and he doesn’t want that stayed publicly either until he has a remediation plan. But if UF was truly the hold up he would be long gone to a place that would let him play. It’s clear where things are, even if none of us like it. and again, really none of this matters all that much, all that matters is that Keybis healthy, and that UF is supporting him, including in what is said or not said. Again I would say if that wasn’t happening he would have already left. but I have made my point, if you disagree that’s fine.
Here is my unvarnished take, fwiw (not a lot!): A heart condition would presumably be diagnosable/detectable, as would trauma or damage to Key’s heart. In such case of a heart condition or resulting damage- I don’t see any way it would make sense for Key to play basketball. And I suspect that opinion would be shared by virtually everyone, including Key and his family. But oddly- Key has stated that it remains undiagnosed, and that it may have been a “freak incident”. In such case ... if after 9 months of tests- no heart condition or damage is found... I would hope fair consideration be given to allowing his career to resume. But I suspect Florida would not be comfortable in such grey area - and would insist upon a determination, even if one does not exist. And I suspect that is where we are ... the grey area... the crossroads of being safe/cautious and impeding a player’s life ambitions. And I think Florida will loiter at this intersection, so not to have to turn in either direction.
This is unfortunately a situation where there is not going to be a clear pleasant resolution to the situation. It’s likely to be similar to other situations unfolding around us in our Society where one side is unwilling to budge on a position yet they are not willing to come out and SAY what their position is because of the potential legal ramifications and the public imagery of it all. UF-the legal admin section- is probably hoping that Key will make it easy and just transfer out. Don’t know that, but time will tell.
If I were KJ, and I truly felt I could play and that I was being forced in a box, I’d seize control of the situation. Post workout videos on social media… show me doing sprints… post pickup basketball videos… If he changes the public perception about his condition’s fragility it would help his case. The narrative would be switched to why are people holding this guy back. It would normalize him being an athlete in the public’s perception. It would show he is the one spearheading taking risks to play. I mean… what’s UF going to do? Kick him off the team for working out publicly? Gotta play chess, here. This is all predicated upon whether he actually feels he is safe to play basketball, obviously.
We live in a litigious society and when you have a LOT of resources you are a HUGE target (unlike us minions). Caution is prudent, if not financially responsible.
Absolutely correct. BUT if UF is NOT going to clear the kid and they are just playing a ‘waiting game’ while the kid feels he can play and wants to play but has not been ‘released’ from his scholly (not that I am saying that is what it is) , then KJ should be privately informed how it is and be able to find another opportunity to pursue his passion. Now, who really knows WHAT is going on ? That’s between him and them. It’s just unfortunate that it is taking such a long protracted process.
Given the fact that Florida has not officially cleared him, I am sure the medical personnel at the university would advise him against doing that while still officially a University of Florida athlete/student. Any personal workout or demonstration would be perceived as Key getting ready for the upcoming season, and therefore endorsed by the university. The wisest action for the University to take is no position, and to make it clear to him and the family that because it hasn't, any actions taken by him to resurrect his career are on him.
