Vest Saves Best for Last

by Alan Hieber

It has been a long road for Wright State basketball guard and Chaminade-Julienne product Alan Vest. The fourth and final season appears to be a charm for the senior wearing number four.

Over the course of his first three seasons Vest played sparingly, 423 minutes total to be exact. He has already eclipsed that this year with 562 so far. The most points he averaged those first three campaigns was 1.5 when he was a freshman. Those stats have shot up in 2018-19 to 4.9 points, fourth on the team in total rebounds with 92 and third in steals with 22.

Being fully recovered from hip surgery during this past offseason has been one of the reasons for the turnaround he added.

"I feel like I'm good at what I do now because I had so many of those tough moments," Vest said. "It might have been a little different if things were easier the first three years I was here. The fact that it was a little harder was better for me now.

"It's nice that the coaches and my teammates trust me and put me in the position to do that. I've put the hours in I feel, so it speaks for itself."

"Alan has shown a tremendous amount of dedication to our program. During his first three years he had a limited role," WSU head coach Scott Nagy said. "He continued to show up and never complained and it has all worked out during his senior year. We are fortunate to have him playing at the level he has all season."

The Vest name is well documented at WSU. Alan's father Mark scored 1559 points for the Raiders from 1984-86, and his brother Matt starred for the team from 2011-14. His sister Sara was also director of basketball operations two seasons for the women's basketball team.

Matt still plays overseas in Germany's ProA, which is a second-tier league, for the Niners Chemnitz.

"He (Matt) is a really good role model to have. I keep in touch with him a lot," Vest said. "He is more of a mindset guy because we both understand how the game of basketball works. But he keeps my mind where it needs to be."

During his first two seasons at WSU Vest admits that the pressure of his family name weighed on him from time to time. However that perspective has changed.

"I knew that I was signing up for that and actually kind of like going to a school where the Vest name is already respected and appreciated," Vest said. "My family really stuck with me through everything, and that helped a lot. I'm glad to be a Vest."

When the Raiders made their run to the NCAA tournament last season, a pulse of the team was prolific WSU guard Grant Benzinger. Vest has taken that baton it seems as he has taken charges from opponents often this year.

"When he left I took it upon myself to maybe not do all the scoring he did, but be a leader and the role as the tough guy," Vest said. "I feel like I've done that for my team so far.

"When I take a charge or make a good play it's nice, but two seconds later I have my teammates helping me up, the fans are cheering me on and the coaches are screaming, 'Good job.' That's what really matters."

"Alan is the epitome of a team player. He thrives in situations where we need a tough play to be made." Nagy said. "Our team can rely on him on the defensive end and he has the ability to step up and make a big shot."

His game isn't the only thing that has undergone a transformation. Vest's hairstyle has as well. Last season he sported a man-bun, but has switched back to a more traditional medium length haircut with a beard.

"I had to test that out to see if I could grow a man-bun. My parents are pretty happy that I cut it off. I'm glad that's over with," said a chuckling Vest.

Something that has remained consistent is Vest's pre-game beverage of choice.

"Right after our shoot around I try to drink as much coffee as possible so I can stay up and engaged during the game," he said.

When this season concludes Vest hopes to pursue a career as a financial planner with his financial services degree.

After everything that has happened to Vest this season, the best may still be yet to come.

"It feels like the climax of a movie. I really like the process that I've gone through," Vest said.

Players Mentioned

Grant Benzinger

Alan Vest

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