Two College Basketball Players Collapsed While Playing

Athletes grab headlines when they perform, but the cases of players suddenly collapsing during games and practices have made for some sobering news.

Minutes into a college basketball game, South Carolina State player Ty Solomon collapsed. If not for the quick actions of his team’s athletic trainer and nearby paramedics, he might have died.

The player had suffered ventricular tachycardia, an abnormal heart rhythm that can cause sudden cardiac arrest. VT can occur during exercise or when people are stressed. The condition often causes chest pain and shortness of breath. It can also lead to death in a few minutes without treatment.

UF’s Keyontae Johnson collapsed on the court two years ago during a game against Florida State University. He spent 10 days in the hospital and, at the time, doctors said he was unlikely to have another cardiac episode. He had been diagnosed with a condition called exercise-induced ventricular tachycardia, which means his heart beats faster during exercise.

He knew the risks, but he felt an overwhelming desire to play again. He could have signed a waiver and stayed off the court, but it didn’t feel right to him. He’s now suiting up for NBA Summer League. His story is a reminder that, in the end, it’s not about money or fame; it’s about how far a person will go to follow their dream.