[Bernini]

From the ESPN Briefing Room:

Wisconsin received its first commitment from the class of 2010 on Monday when guard Vander Blue picked the Badgers, according to The Capital Times. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard, who chose UW over Marquette, Kentucky and Indiana, wanted to get his choice out of the way early so he could focus on basketball and school. "I don't want to be one of those people who, in my senior year, is stressing myself out trying to figure out what college I'm going to," Blue said. "I have a great opportunity right in front of me that I can take and will benefit me in the long run. So I can get the decision over with and just have fun for the rest of my high school career and keep my grades up."

According to ESPN's Antonio Williams, Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan has himself a very talented shooting guard in Blue. "He has a great deal of untapped potential," Williams said. "Blue has very good athleticism and leaping ability which he uses effectively in a number of ways. With his quickness and good first step, Blue easily drives past opponents when on the perimeter in the half-court. At times when he gets to the rim though, he needs to use his impressive hops to finish above the rim. He will have more success at the rim once he adds more strength to his frame, which will come as he matures. Blue also has to improve his range and consistency from the perimeter, though he has an adequate jump shot at this point and operates effectively in the mid-range area with pull-up jumpers. He has great lift on his jump shot, but he sometimes shoots on the way down instead of at the peak of his jump. He hits the boards hard exceptionally well for a guard. Blue has a very good motor and competes at a high level.

Blue will fit perfectly in to Wisconsin's scheme. "Ryan loves hard-nosed, intense guards that match his style of play and Blue fits the bill here," Williams offered. "Wisconsin loves to have guards that will challenge on the defensive end of the court and Blue will fit seamlessly with the Badgers with his defensive intensity and competitive nature. Blue's athleticism and quickness gives Ryan a gifted performer from the shooting guard spot that should have the opportunity to put the ball in the basket often. Ryan did a great job of convincing a talent home-grown prospect to stay home for college."