Kansas State Graduate Assistant Mark Vital Arrested on Domestic Battery Charge
Kansas State men’s basketball graduate assistant Mark Vital was arrested early Monday morning in Manhattan, Kansas, on a charge of domestic battery, according to a report from the Riley County Police Department.
The arrest occurred around 12:20 a.m. at the 600 block of Vattier Street. The charge is defined as "knowing rude physical contact with a family member or dating relationship." Vital’s bond was set at $2,000, and he was not confined following the arrest.
Police also arrested a woman at the same location roughly 15 minutes earlier, at 12:04 a.m., on a similar charge.
Vital, who is in his first season on the Kansas State staff, joined head coach Jerome Tang’s program this year as a graduate assistant. The two have a deep basketball connection that dates back to their time at Baylor, where they helped lead the Bears to a national championship in 2021. Tang was an assistant on Scott Drew’s staff, while Vital was a key contributor on the floor, averaging 6.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in his senior season.
Known for his physicality and versatility at 6-foot-5, Vital carved out a unique path after college. He played professionally overseas and even made a brief transition to football, joining the Kansas City Chiefs as a tight end. That kind of athletic versatility is rare, and it speaks to the kind of competitor Vital has always been-gritty, adaptable, and team-first.
This season marked a new chapter as he shifted into coaching, returning to the college game under a familiar face in Tang. Kansas State brought him on board not just for his basketball IQ, but for the energy and experience he could bring to a young roster.
As of now, the Kansas State men’s basketball program has not issued a comment regarding the arrest.