Kansas State star Keyontae Johnson credits his grandma's steady demeanor for keeping him 'calm' even in his wildest moments on the court

• Keyontae Johnson led Kansas State to a 98-93 overtime win against Michigan State in the Sweet 16.
• After the game, the Wildcats' star forward credited his grandma for keeping him "calm" from the stands.

NEW YORK — As Keyontae Johnson and his Kansas State Wildcats prepared for the biggest game of their lives Thursday night — a Sweet 16 matchup against March Madness mainstay Michigan State at Madison Square Garden — the superstar's loved ones had every reason to be nervous as he

But you never would have known it from chatting with his calm, cool, and collected grandma — Mary DeJarnett — mere minutes before tipoff.

Don't misunderstand; she is "so proud" of her grandson, she told Insider.

But anxious?

"Nah," Johnson told Insider with a laugh. "You probably should have asked my granddad or somebody."

"My grandma — she doesn't ever really stress about anything," he added.

Sitting a few rows behind Kansas State's bench with Johnson's mother to her right and his dad and grandpa to her left, DeJarnett kept her eyes locked on the court during warmups. Considering just two-and-a-half years prior, Johnson suffered an on-court collapse that nearly stole his life and basketball career, DeJarnett's steady demeanor belied the magnitude of the moment for her grandson.

Johnson wouldn't have it any other way. He takes "comfort" in knowing that nothing — not even watching her grandson in a Sweet 16 game at the world's most famous arena — can rattle DeJarnett.

"She's one of the people that just keeps me calm," Johnson told Insider. "When I see her around, I just feel relieved."

He channeled that energy to ward off pre-game jitters as he positioned himself around the center circle for tipoff and again when he scored the first two points of the game on a smooth alley-oop.

He carried it throughout the back-and-forth affair, which featured 16 lead changes and 14 ties. And he held on to it as the game headed to overtime, the Garden buzzing with anticipation and angst.

His levelheaded grandma, meanwhile, never had a shred of doubt.

Johnson scored a team-high 22 points and added six rebounds to lead the Wildcats to a 98-93 win and a spot in the Elite Eight.

For those who credit Johnson's steely determination and unperturbed spirit for his massive performance on basketball's biggest stage, know this:

He comes by it honestly.