The loaded PSA Cardinals bunch showcased such talent as Virginia commit Ty Jerome, Villanova commit Omari Spellman, and elite shot blocking man, Kassoum Yakwe, this past summer. However, it was Christian Vital, a 6’2 combo guard out of Queens Village, New York, that might be one of the more intriguing and high upside guys throughout the northeast.

Playing at St. Thomas More School, a program that has produced such talent as South Carolina’s Duane Notice, George Washington’s Yuta Watanabe, and incoming UConn big man Steven Enoch over the past three graduating classes, discipline, fundamentals, and versatility have been the calling cards for many alums of the Connecticut prep program. Christian Vital is next in line as the 6’2 guard can play both on and off the basketball and never lacks the passion and intensity on either end of the floor.

Vital had somewhat of an up and down spring where he averaged just north of eight points throughout EYBL contests, but it was a high level contest at the Nike Peach Jam where the New Yorker hit on three deep jumpers and finished with 16 points in a giant win over the loaded Each 1 Teach 1 crew that displayed his wealth of potential at the next level. The elevation that Vital displays on his jumpers is Ray Allen-like and with an abundance of toughness, a workman like approach, and the ability to remain involved for the 50-50 ball, things are definitely looking up with Vital. “I took the next step and a big leap forward with my game. I picked up more offers and me competing at the highest level consistently in AAU basketball, I showed I not only belonged, but that I can compete with the best of guys in America.”

Vital added offers from George Washington, Dayton, and UNLV, to the original list that included the likes of UT-Chattanooga, BC, Saint Peter’s, Northeastern, Fairfield, St. Joe’s, and Duquesne. However, when asked if any schools stood out, Vital remained on the fence with things. ‘To be honest, every school is on me hard. They told me I have a chance to earn minutes right away but it is all about the short term and the long term that I like about my situation. They trust in me and believe in me.”

With his first official visit set for September 4 in taking in the Dayton campus and program, Vital did note on what a commitment could take place. “I am going to commit before my season starts and go into my senior year focused on winning a national championship. If I find the right place, I don’t want to waste other coaches’ times so they could be looking at another kid. If I feel I am comfortable with everything, then I will end it then.”

Where Vital does plan on committing before the early signing period, he has thought out the process of putting pen to paper with his verbal. “When I commit, I am going to talk to the staff but I won’t sign all the papers so I can see how the year goes. I will be fully into my commitment but it’s the smartest situation so I can see how everything goes throughout the year.”

With a date set for Dayton and another official visit being planned for UNLV in the coming weeks, Vital is set on laying low a bit as the other programs recruiting him, are all local ones. As playing time and the chance to win right away will be two of the most coveted aspects in selecting a school this fall, it should be expected that whichever home that the St. Thomas More product calls fit, that they would welcome in a highly competitive, hard-nosed guard with a pungent for making jump shots from various levels on the playing floor.