He played for several NBA teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, Washington Bullets, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers.

A 6'7" forward, Vincent played at Michigan State University under coach, Jud Heathcote, where he teamed with Magic Johnson and Greg Kelser to win the 1979 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.

He was then selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the 1981 NBA draft (24th overall pick), and he went on to have a productive 9-year NBA career, playing for the Mavericks (1981–86), Washington Bullets (1986–87), Denver Nuggets (1987–89), San Antonio Spurs (1989), Philadelphia 76ers (1989–1990) and Los Angeles Lakers (1990).

In August 2010 it was revealed that an East Lansing, Michigan, company owned by Vincent was involved in a scam that defrauded about 20,000 people across the United States out of more than $2 million.

On August 18, 2010, Vincent and another man were indicted by a federal grand jury on mail fraud charges stemming from conduct between 2006 and 2009.