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The Wright State Guardian
Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 | News worth knowing
Wright State Guardian

Raider Spotlight: Vest's name will return to WSU lineup

Chaminade-Julienne High School senior forward Alan Vest already has a name synonymous with Wright State basketball, so it was no surprise when he verbally committed to play for the Raiders.

Vest’s father Mark and Alan’s brother Matt left their own mark during their basketball careers at Wright State. Even though family tradition did factor into his decision to commit to the Raiders, there were other factors that stood out, according to Vest.

“A lot of people say that it was about my family,” Alan Vest said. “Part of it was because of my family, but I just tried to make it based on the facts. I know that Wright State has a great basketball program, has a great coaching staff, great guys on the team and great facilities. I would not have chosen anything different."

Vest keeps in touch with his brother Matt, who is currently playing basketball professionally overseas in Germany. The two brothers used to play competitive 1-on-1 pickup games when they were younger.

“When we would play there would usually be blood all over the court. We got pretty competitive,” Alan Vest said.

While his brother was a talented player on defense, Vest is building his own legacy with his ability to succeed on the defensive end of the floor, according to CJ head coach Joe Staley.

“Matt turned into a really smart and a great defensive player. I think at this age, Alan is a little better off defensively than Matt was. Alan has got a ways to go to finish his career at Wright State the way Matt finished his. I think Alan is off to a pretty good start,” said Staley.

Though family was not the only motivator in Vest’s decision to attend Wright State, the advice he received from his family was vital in the his development as a player.

“That has probably been one of the best things for me in becoming such a good player. It is really awesome to be able to say that you have two or three or four college basketball players in your family. They are always giving me pointers. It has really contributed to me becoming a better player,” said Vest.

This season at CJ, Vest is currently second in scoring in the Greater Catholic League (GCL) with an average of 17.0 points per game. Vest is also showcasing his ability on the defensive side of the ball with 1.8 steals per game, which is good enough for fifth in the GCL.

“You have got to think that you are one of the better players out there. If it weren’t for my teammates at CJ I wouldn’t be doing what I am now on the stats sheet,” Vest said. “Staying aggressive and hungry really contributes to me getting steals and points.”

Vest also has an ability to be unselfish and make his teammates perform better, according to Staley.

“When you are as talented as Alan a lot of times that drawls the defense,” Staley said. “The other team has to help on you, and Alan is quick to give the ball up to open players.”

Staley envisions Vest’s skills carrying over to Wright State and improving as he enters a collegiate basketball environment.

“I think he is a very good high school player, but at Wright State that is going to be a full-time job,” Staley said. “He is going to become super skilled. They spend an awful lot of time under coach (Billy) Donlon working on their shot and working on their dribble moves. I think Alan is going to soak that up and become really good.”


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