'10 WI SG Vander Blue is a Badger!!!

Bernini · #1 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 11:14 PM

Rivals Profile

photo by Michael J. Much, Mike DeVries

Madison (Wisconsin) Memorial

Ht: 6-3
Wt: 180

Statistics: 13.3 pts (48%/38%), 7 rebs, 2.6 asts, 3 stls

Strengths: Lateral Quickness, Straight-Line Quickness, Defensive Anticipation, Ball Handling, Mid Range Game, Rebounding, Poise
Weaknesses: Range, Strength, Passing Ability, Court Vision, Team Concept

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Miller: WSN Basketball

Blue has a promising future and plays with poise and maturity beyond his years

Rankings: #3 player in Wisconsin's 2009 class per WSN

Notes: Played for State Championship Runner-up Squad in 2008

Interest From: Wisconsin (Offer), Kentucky (Offer), Indiana (Offer), Marquette (Offer) Clemson, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa State

Rivals $ 1/28

Blue is one of the hottest '10 prospects around right now.

WSN Basketball 1/27

Blue scored 16 points this past weekend in the "Border Battle" against Minnetonka (MN).

Committed 4/28/08

Bernini · #2 (**permalink**) 03-02-2008, 04:09 PM

Wisconsin State Journal 2/29

Blue had 23 points to help lead Memorial to the sectional finals.

Head Coach Steve Collins said of Blue, ""I think Vander Blue's the real deal," Collins said. "Vander's only 15 years old, he turns 16 in July, so he's a young sophomore. But he plays like he's 21."

Heavystarch · #3 (**permalink**) 03-02-2008, 06:40 PM

I think it's safe to say that he is a can't miss. I think I am in the majority saying it's time we extend him an offer - I would hate to see Blue turn Gold.

komacki · #4 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 10:14 PM

MADISON MEMORIAL vs BADGER (03/06/08 at Kohl Center - Madison, Wisconsin)
Box score for quarterfinals against Badger (Lake Geneva)

Blue's line: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal, and 2 TO

Played a good game but didn't do anything to really impress me. I don't think he took a shot outside of 10 feet, but that can probably be said about the entire Memorial team. Definitely has a lot of potential.

Heavystarch · #5 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 11:34 PM

Were you lucky enough to go to the game? If so, did he look all of 6'3" 180?

komacki · #6 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 01:28 AM

Unfortunately I wasn't at the games today. I wanted to be at all of them that I could, but I don't have $75 and three days of nothing for me to use as I see fit. I recorded all of them and watched them at some point during the day.

I'd say 180 is pretty accurate, but that's just a guess. As far as the 6'3" goes, Memorial reports Devonte Maymon as being 6'2", and by sticking a ruler up against the TV while Maymon was shooting free throws and comparing I'd say that 6'3" is right as well. Badger also has a 6'3" guy who looked a bit taller than Blue, but I was never able to get a good comparison.

Not related to anything, but Memorial also has a 6'2" senior named Derek Nkemji who had a monster dunk that he drove right down the middle of the lane to get. Just giving credit where it's due.

Bernini · #7 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 06:12 PM

I concur with komacki basically. I could see some of the poise and fluidity that people were talking about, but Blue wasn't a standout player. Maymon really needed him to knock down some shots from the perimeter and he was virtually invisible. Maybe it's his immaturity, but he didn't have much gumption. I want to see players to assume whatever role their team needs. His skill-set and quickness were assets. He read the passing lanes well. He can play position defense well. But I'm not seeing a player with a scorer's mentality or who great vision and instincts to create for his teammates. He missed a few open passes to Maymon and others, which a pass first guard wouldn't, so I doubt he has that attribute either. Based on this game, his ceiling is Michael Flowers. Which would be an asset to a major team, but wouldn't constitute a star recruit. And that's if he realizes his potential. Flavien Davis is the far superior player from my observation within the same recruiting class.

TheFresher · #8 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heavystarch

I think it's safe to say that he is a can't miss. I think I am in the majority saying it's time we extend him an offer - I would hate to see Blue turn Gold.

damn that was good.. you're the man

komacki · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 04:22 PM

I was impressed overall with Blue's performance at state, but he definitely has a long way to go. He needs to work on his outside shot. I made the comment after his quarterfinal game that he probably didn't take a shot outside of 12 feet (or whatever I said), but I didn't know if that was because of the offense Memorial runs or because of his shot. I still think that it's mostly the offense, but the fact that he didn't MAKE anything outside of 12 feet worries me.

The good parts of his game? Good finisher, really good rebounder (second on the team), good anticipation on defense. I was also impressed with his motor. He would excel in a fast-paced game with a lot of full court presses and fast breaks (not the Badgers) or an offense that allowed him to drive or otherwise get close to the basket (that's the Badgers). I'd also like to see his quickness and hands on defense for the Badgers.

I also question whether his poor shooting isn't partially a by-product of what he's asked to do. Memorial's coach has said that Maymon is their center by default because he's the biggest player they have. Well, Blue is the second biggest player that gets minutes, and that might be reflected by most of his points coming near the hoop and getting lots of rebounds. His shot didn't look that bad (I think, I deleted the games), it just wasn't going in. If Memorial got another big man and Blue was allowed to focus more on his outside game I don't think we'd be questioning his shot.

This was his first year as a starter, and I don't know how much or if he played during state last year, so nerves or inexperience MAY have had a little bit of an impact. He's got a lot of potential, but right now I don't think that he's a must have and I agree with Bernini that Davis is the better prospect.

BoKnowsBall · #10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 06:31 PM

Blue has about an average shot- he can know it down if open but it still needs work. I think that another thing to keep in mind is that he is young for a sophomore and is still only 15 years old so he will probably grow a few more inches and become more athletic. BTW- here is a video of him against Anthony Tucker's (Iowa recruit) high school.

OnWisconsin07 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 11:15 PM

Word on the boards is that Vander has a UW offer. Wonder if it's true....?

Bernini · #12 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 04:59 PM

WSN Hoops

3/7

The Madison Spartans advanced to the quarterfinal round in the 17U division behind the strong play of class of 2010 prospect Vander Blue of Madison Memorial. Blue showed again why he is one of the top guard prospects in Wisconsin with his ability to create in the lane and finish at the rim. He is extremely quick to the ball and always seems to be causing havoc on defense. With an improved outside jump shot, Blue figures to have the total package and will be well on his way to earning scholarship offers from high-major NCAA Division I schools.

BadgerFanMT · #13 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 05:33 PM

My first post as a member isnt a positive one. Vander Blue Almost Never Passes the Ball. Hes a pretty selfish player.

And yes i am BadgerFanMT from cbssportsline.com

Heavystarch · #14 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 06:05 PM

Welcome to the board. I haven't seen him play much, so I cannot really comment, but he is only a sophomore and has time to develop his teammate skills if this is true.

NM