From Kickapoo basketball star to viral sports videographer

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Recent Kickapoo graduate Vincent Mhire might have been known locally for his skills on the basketball court, but he is even better known in sports media.

Just a few years after picking up a professional camera for the first time, he now boasts over 40 thousand followers on Instagram (@vinnyflics) and creates hype videos for nearly every high school in the Springfield area. It all started with an injury called mallet finger.

"So I was going to be out for the next three months. And in that time, especially during the summer, there's these things called AIU tournaments. They're basketball, like summer leagues for high school players and stuff like that," Mhire said. "All my friends were in those and I couldn't play. So, I decided to go and like, just go with them to those tournaments. And I don't know what caused me to do this, but I started filming videos on my phone."

After realizing he had a true passion and some skill for videography, he leaned into building his brand. All while continuing to keep up his grades and play basketball, something that he feels gives him extra insight.

"I feel like that definitely helps a lot. Like knowing the game of basketball. I know what players are looking for and what looks good."

But as high school graduation approached, he had some serious decisions to make. With offers from multiple colleges he had to decide what path he would take.

"And I committed to Mission College, " Mhire shared. "And then, you know like, the more I kind of thought about it, I was like, I, booked with videography stuff right now. I mean right now I'm leaving every week to go film golf and stuff like that. It's just I kind of thought about it and I prayed about it and I was like, I feel like my calling is going to be in videography, and that's where I'll go with it.

He plans to continue to build his social media following and work towards goals such as getting to be a videographer for a National Basketball Association team or player.

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