“I want to reach my full potential at the highest level of basketball prove to myself I'm good to play at that level.”

 

UConn basketball is back. Joined by recruits, Alterique Gilbert, Juwan Durham, Vance Jackson, and Mamadou Diarra, Christian Vital is perhaps the most underrated piece of this year’s Huskies squad. At 6’2”, Vital will play the combo guard position in hopes of continuing the recent tradition of elite UConn guards. “I want to perfect the point guard position as much as possible and better understand the game of basketball.” explained Vital.

Coming from St. Thomas More(Oakdale, CT), Vital has been highly recruited for the majority of his high school career. After originally signing with UNLV in November, Vital decided to take a step back and re-evaluate his decision. “It was tough decommitting from UNLV.” he continued. “When I committed, I was set on UNLV, not thinking that I would have to go through the recruiting process again.”

 

Once Vital decommitted, he quickly started to get right back into the process, with visits from coaches at Alabama and Marquette. 247Sports gave Louisville a 75% of committing, but by spring of Vital's senior year, one underdog came out woodwork… UConn. “The relationship I had with Kevin Ollie was very strong and he prioritized me in recruiting me to UCONN,” Vital stated.  “I also go to school in Connecticut so it is easier to see myself around the people I know and I have support from.”

Now that Vital is on campus at UConn, is already working towards helping Ollie and the Huskies win another American Conference title. However, it wasn’t just his work with St. Thomas More that helped transform him into the three-star recruit that he is today. Playing with the PSA Cardinals on the Nike EYBL circuit, Vital was able to upgrade his skills, while also making those around him better. Drawing comparisons to NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas and current NBA superstar Russell Westbrook, Vital quickly became a sensation on the EYBL circuit. “I wouldn’t compare myself to him, but I do try to play with the intensity that Isiah Thomas played with.” Vital stated.

 

Entering his freshman year at UConn, Vital is faced with the challenge of matching the high expectations that come from being a national prospect. Ranked by 247Sports as being a top-200 player in the 2016 class, Vital isn’t focused on the rankings, but instead focused on doing what’s right, saying, “I know that with basketball comes with a lot of benefits, so if I could use those benefits for my family, those who have helped me, and those who need help, it would mean the world to me.”

Christian Vital may not have the star-studded resume that other top recruits may have, but his drive and determination to do what’s right on and off the court have propelled him to become a vital part of next year’s UConn basketball team. For Vital, it isn’t about the fame or celebrity that comes from being a star basketball player. Instead, he is captured by the opportunities that come with the game. “I’m going to continue to grow as a person and basketball player. I want to make it to the NBA so that my mom can retire before she turns 40. Also, I want to use what I have learned and experienced to help others chase their dreams. “

Throughout his basketball career up until now, Christian Vital has proved to be a “Dream Chaser.”

Dream Chaser