Interview: Lansing Eastern and MU grad Sam Vincent talks about being homecoming Grand Marshal

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – When it comes to high school basketball history in the Lansing area, Earvin “Magic” Johnson is the first person many think about.

Sam Vincent isn’t too far behind on that list of Lansing basketball legends.

It’s part of the reason Vincent will be the Grand Marshal during Michigan State’s homecoming celebration this weekend.

A career at Lansing Eastern High School, which featured him being the first recipient of the state of Michigan’s Mr. Basketball award in 1981, led Vincent to play for Jud Heathcote at Michigan State.

After graduating from MSU in 1985, Vincent was drafted by the Boston Celtics and played in the NBA for seven years.

Vincent then transitioned to coaching and it led him all over the world. The Lansing native coached in South Africa, Europe, China, Greece, the Netherlands and Nigeria, where he led the Nigerian women’s basketball team to victory in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Vincent is currently living in Orlando, Florida, and is the head basketball coach at Beacon College, which is a school for kids diagnosed with learning differences.

He flew up to Michigan on Tuesday and caught up with 6 Sports Director Ian Kress in the video above.

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