Sam Vincent, a former Theatre major at Michigan State University and professional basketball player who played seven years in the NBA, is MSU’s 2024 Homecoming Grand Marshal. He will represent the university and serve as an honorary leader throughout Homecoming Week, which is Oct. 14-19.
As MSU’s Homecoming Grand Marshal, Vincent will participate in the Homecoming parade scheduled for Friday, Oct. 18, at 6 p.m. and the halftime ceremonies of the Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 19, when the Spartans take on the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.
The public is invited to a “Meet the Homecoming Grand Marshal” event with Vincent on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 6 to 7 p.m. at WKAR studios in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences Building on MSU’s campus where Al Martin, host of WKAR’s Beyond the Score, will talk to Vincent about his MSU experience and successful basketball career as a player and coach. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the event. A reception with hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages will follow. For those not able to attend in person, a virtual livestream option is available. Note that this event will not be available for viewing at a later time.
There is no cost to attend the “Meet the Homecoming Grand Marshal” event, but registration is required whether you plan to attend in-person or remotely by submitting the registration form. The registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 11.
From MSU to NBA to Coaching Career
A native of Lansing, Michigan, Vincent was the first recipient of the State of Michigan’s “Mr. Basketball” award that was presented to him in 1981 during his senior year at Eastern High School. He went on to become a valued member of MSU’s men’s basketball team as a point guard and earned Sporting News All-America honors while majoring in Theatre in the College of Arts & Letters.
Vincent harnessed the ambition and team-building skills he developed as a Spartan and transformed that into a successful career as a professional basketball player and coach.
In 1985, he was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA draft, the 20th overall pick. During his two seasons playing for the Celtics, he won an NBA Championship ring. Over the course of his NBA career, he also played for the Seattle SuperSonics, Chicago Bulls, and Orlando Magic.
His aptitude for leadership and love of the game guided him toward a career in coaching after his NBA career ended in 1992. He has coached several teams across the country and around the world, including in South Africa, China, Greece, the Netherlands, and Nigeria. He has coached in the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) World Championships and the Olympics, leading the Nigerian women’s basketball team to a 68-64 victory over South Korea in the 2004 Summer Olympics, which was the first-ever victory by an African nation in an Olympic women’s basketball game.
“The Michigan State family has been a cornerstone in my coaching career, providing a strong bond and resilience among our community.”
In short, Vincent exemplifies a life dedicated to the people and the sport he loves. And even though his stat sheet is filled with accolades and endless passport stamps, he has always kept his Spartan family close to his heart.
“The Michigan State family has been a cornerstone in my coaching career, providing a strong bond and resilience among our community,” Vincent said.
Vincent currently serves as the Head Coach for the men’s basketball team at Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida, which is dedicated to equitable education for all as an institution of higher learning for neurodiverse students. Since joining Beacon College in 2022, Vincent has worked to expand his teams’ playing options, moving them from an intramural team to a competitive one and even arranging for them to travel to Michigan to play against Lansing Community College and Jackson Community College.
Using his connections within the MSU and NBA community, Vincent works to give his players a dynamic crowd experience by packing the stands with fellow Spartan alumni and connecting them with Coach Tom Izzo as well as the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls while cultivating a dedicated and supportive fanbase for his team.
“Coaching at Beacon has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” Vincent said. “It’s about more than just winning games — it’s about uplifting and mentoring students who often feel overlooked.”
“Whether you’re on the court or in the classroom, understanding and celebrating our differences makes us stronger. Sports have a unique power to bridge those gaps.”
In addition to his formal coaching position, Vincent organizes sports clinics for athletes with learning differences to help build supportive competitive experiences and to educate others on how to properly coach, develop, and integrate players with learning differences into their teams.
“Whether you’re on the court or in the classroom, understanding and celebrating our differences makes us stronger,” Vincent said. “Sports have a unique power to bridge those gaps.”
Vincent embodies Spartan strength and unbridled courage to explore new lands, learn on the job, and open doors for the often marginalized.
“Basketball has a way of transcending cultural and racial lines. It’s a universal language that brings people together and teaches us to view one another as humans first,” he said. “There’s a special pride in supporting the underdogs. Helping kids build confidence through sports is something I hold close to my heart.”
As a student, athlete, and coach, Vincent’s achievements speak to his ability to bring people together and unite them around a collective passion. Whether traveling across the country or around the world, he brings MSU’s culture of leadership and service wherever he goes, exemplifying what it means to be a Spartan.
This article was compiled from MSU’s 2024 Homecoming announcement by Anna Ludlow and the Dishing Out Assists in Life and Hoops article by contributing writer Rod Berger, PsyD ’98.
