Spartan Great Sam Vincent Inducted into MSU Athletics Hall of Fame

Vincent is the eighth-leading scorer in Michigan State basketball history.
Michigan State basketball great Sam Vincent talks to the media after being inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 12, 2025.
Michigan State basketball great Sam Vincent talks to the media after being inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 12, 2025. | Jacob Cotsonika, Michigan State Spartans on S

EAST LANSING, Mich. --- One of the best players in Michigan State basketball history, Sam Vincent, was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday evening.

Vincent is the eighth-leading scorer in Spartan basketball history with 1,851 career points from his time with the team from 1981-85.

Sam Vincent
Michigan State Spartans guard Sam Vincent (11) in action during the 1984 season. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images1 | Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

He went on to win an NBA championship as a rookie with the Boston Celtics and was teammates with Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls during his seven-year NBA career. Vincent has also had a long career coaching basketball around the world.

Below is complete video of what Vincent had to say about the honor.

Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith also spoke to the media on Monday to go over last week's win over Boston College and Saturday's game against Youngstown State. Below is a partial transcript of Smith's opening statement.

Jonathan Smith

Jonathan Smit
Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith looks on during practice on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“OK, like a typical Monday, just kind of recapping a few things after digesting the film. Obviously, finishing the game we did, well fought. 

“I thought it after the game and then watching the tape; great college football game, atmosphere, both teams making plays, responding, obviously came down to the wire. 

“I feel like it could be a growth game for us to be able to finish the game we did against a quality opponent. I mean, that quarterback (Dylan Lonergan) was playing at a really high level.

“They happened to respond in the second overtime, away, all of that. So, we're trying to grow off of being able to finish that way. Because a lot of these games, they come down to the wire like that, and we've got to gain some confidence and continue to move forward from the game.

“Offensively, you know, felt a lot to like with Aidan (Chiles) in regards to his effort, quarterback play, decision making, even some of the small stuff that you don't totally see during the game. Checked the ball down, protections (weren't) clean a couple of times and got us out of that. It was pretty good. 

“I thought multiple receivers were making some plays there. 

Aidan Chiles
Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles celebrates with fans after the Spartans' 42-40 victory over Boston College | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on S

“We've got to get better. Two-minute (drill) at the end of the game, got an opportunity with the ball on the 42, two timeouts, game's close to 50 seconds left. We go backwards there. 

“We need to tighten up some of our hands in the run game. Holding calls in the red zone backed us up a couple of times. Short yardage, getting stopped. So, there's plenty to improve on.

“Defensively --- Boston College, Coach O'Brien, the quarterback, they made it hard schematically. Felt like after the game we needed to be able to make the quarterback more uncomfortable.

“He (Lonergan) did a great job getting the ball out pretty quickly. There wasn't a lot of times he was just sit there, patting the ball, patting the ball. This thing is coming out pretty quick.”

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Jacob Cotsonika
JACOB COTSONIKA

A 2025 graduate from Michigan State University, Cotsonika brings a wealth of experience covering the Spartans from Rivals and On3 to his role as Michigan State Spartans Beat Writer on SI. At Michigan State, he was also a member of the world-renowned Spartan marching band for two seasons.

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