Vander Blue

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Vander Blue

| image = Vander Blue.jpg

| caption =

| position = Shooting guard

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 5

| weight_lb = 200

| league = LNBP

| team = El Calor de Cancún

| number = 0

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|7|17}}

| birth_place = Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.

| high_school = Memorial (Madison, Wisconsin)

| college = Marquette (2010–2013)

| draft_year = 2013

| career_start = 2013

| career_end =

| years1 = 2013

| team1 = Maccabi Rishon LeZion

| years2 = 2014

| team2 = Delaware 87ers

| years3 = {{nbay|2013|end}}

| team3 = Boston Celtics

| years4 = 2014

| team4 = →Maine Red Claws

| years5 = 2014

| team5 = Delaware 87ers

| years6 = 2014

| team6 = Idaho Stampede

| years7 = 2014–2015

| team7 = Los Angeles D-Fenders

| years8 = {{nbay|2014|end}}

| team8 = Los Angeles Lakers

| years9 = 2015–2016

| team9 = Los Angeles D-Fenders

| years10 = 2016

| team10 = Guangxi Rhinos

| years11 = 2016–2017

| team11 = Los Angeles D-Fenders

| years12 = {{nbay|2017|full=y}}

| team12 = Los Angeles Lakers

| years13 = 2017–2018

| team13 = →South Bay Lakers

| years14 = 2018

| team14 = Auxilium Torino

| years15 = 2018–2019

| team15 = Wisconsin Herd

| years16 = 2019

| team16 = Texas Legends

| years17 = 2019

| team17 = Santa Cruz Warriors

| years18 = 2021

| team18 = Libertadores de Querétaro

| years19 = 2021–2022

| team19 = Club Atlético Peñarol

| years20 = 2022

| team20 = Libertadores de Querétaro

| years21 = 2022–2023

| team21 = Al Sadd Doha

| years22 = 2024

| team22 = Ángeles de la Ciudad de México

| years23 = 2024–present

| team23 = El Calor de Cancún

| highlights =

LNBP West District MVP (2021)
LNBP All-Star (2022)
LNBP scoring champion (2021)
Italian Cup MVP (2018)
Italian Cup champion (2018)
NBA D-League MVP (2017)
2× All-NBA D-League First Team (2016, 2017)
3× NBA D-League All-Star (2015–2017)
Second-team All-Big East (2013)

| medal_templates = {{MedalSport|Men's basketball}}

{{MedalCountry|the {{USA}}}}

}}

Vander Lee Blue II (born July 17, 1992) is an American professional basketball player for the Ángeles de la Ciudad de México of the Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico (CIBACOPA).

College career

Blue, a 6'4" shooting guard from Madison, Wisconsin, originally committed to the University of Wisconsin, but received press coverage as he decommitted after becoming disenchanted by negative posts on Wisconsin Badgers internet blogs.{{Cite web |last=Potrykus |first=Jeff |date=May 19, 2009 |title=Free speech sometimes comes with a price |url=http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/45448857.html |access-date=March 21, 2021 |publisher=Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel}} Blue ended up enrolling at Marquette for the 2010–11 season. Blue was a key rotation player as a freshman and sophomore, and stepped into a starting role in his junior season. He averaged 14.8 points per game and was named second team All-Big East Conference.{{Cite web |title=Vander Blue Bio |url=http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/blue_vander00.html |access-date=May 29, 2013 |website=GoMarquette.com}}

After the season, Blue bypassed his senior season and declared his eligibility for the 2013 NBA draft.{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2013 |title=Marquette's Vander Blue to go pro |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/draft2013/story/_/id/9177868/vander-blue-marquette-golden-eagles-pins-hopes-nba-draft |access-date=May 29, 2013 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}

Professional career

= Maccabi Rishon LeZion (2013) =

After going undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft, Blue joined the Houston Rockets for the Orlando Summer League{{Cite web |date=May 28, 2013 |title=Rockets Summer League Schedule |url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-summer-league-schedule |access-date=May 28, 2013 |website=NBA.com}} and the Memphis Grizzlies for the Las Vegas Summer League.{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2013 |title=Grizzlies Summer League 2013 roster |url=http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlies-summer-league-roster |access-date=July 11, 2013 |website=NBA.com}} On September 27, 2013, he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2013 |title=Sixers Announce 2013 Training Camp Roster |url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/sixers-announce-2013-training-camp-roster |access-date=September 27, 2013 |website=NBA.com}} However, he was later waived by the 76ers on October 25 after appearing in five preseason games.{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2013 |title=Roster Transaction (10/25/2013) |url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/131025-roster-transaction |access-date=October 25, 2013 |website=NBA.com}} Five days later, Blue signed with Maccabi Rishon LeZion of the Israeli Super League.{{Cite web |date=October 30, 2013 |title=Vander Blue signs with Maccabi Rishon LeZion |url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/israel/107554/vander-blue-signs-with-maccabi-rishon-lezion.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624145744/http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/israel/107554/vander-blue-signs-with-maccabi-rishon-lezion.html |archive-date=June 24, 2016 |access-date=October 30, 2013 |website=Sportando.com}} On December 31, 2013, he was released by Maccabi after appearing in just seven games.{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2013 |title=Vander Blue waived by Maccabi Rishon LeZion |url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/israel/109833/vander-blue-waived-by-maccabi-rishon-lezion.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624174240/http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/israel/109833/vander-blue-waived-by-maccabi-rishon-lezion.html |archive-date=June 24, 2016 |access-date=January 22, 2014 |website=Sportando.com}}

= Delaware 87ers (2014) =

On January 14, 2014, Blue was acquired by the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League.{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2014 |title=Delaware 87ers Acquire Vander Blue Off Waivers |url=http://www.nba.com/dleague/delaware/delaware_87ers_acquire_vander__2014_01_14.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116113218/http://www.nba.com/dleague/delaware/delaware_87ers_acquire_vander__2014_01_14.html |archive-date=January 16, 2014 |access-date=January 14, 2014 |website=NBA.com |df=mdy-all}}

= Boston Celtics (2014) =

On January 22, 2014, Blue signed a 10-day contract with the Boston Celtics.{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2014 |title=Celtics Sign Blue to 10-Day Contract |url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/celtics-sign-blue-10-day-contract |access-date=January 22, 2014 |website=NBA.com}} He made his NBA debut later that day, recording 2 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in a 113–111 win over the Washington Wizards.{{Cite web |date=January 22, 2014 |title=Notebook: Celtics 113, Wizards 111 (OT) |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20140122/BOSWAS/gameinfo.html |access-date=January 22, 2014 |website=NBA.com}} On January 31, he was assigned to the Maine Red Claws.{{Cite web |date=January 31, 2014 |title=Celtics Assign Faverani, Blue to Red Claws |url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/celtics-assign-faverani-blue-red-claws |access-date=January 31, 2014 |website=NBA.com}} The Celtics did not offer Blue a second 10-day contract after his first 10-day contract expired, thus parting ways with both the Celtics and Red Claws.{{Cite web |last=Toscano |first=Jimmy |date=February 1, 2014 |title=Report: Celtics will not re-sign Vander Blue |url=http://www.csnne.com/blog/celtics-talk/report-celtics-will-not-re-sign-vander-blue |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204045456/http://www.csnne.com/blog/celtics-talk/report-celtics-will-not-re-sign-vander-blue |archive-date=February 4, 2014 |access-date=February 2, 2014 |website=CSNNE.com}} On February 1, he was reacquired by the 87ers.

= Idaho Stampede (2014) =

On March 7, Blue was traded to the Idaho Stampede in a four-team deal,{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2014 |title=87ers Involved in Four-team Trade with Idaho, Santa Cruz, and Canton |url=http://www.nba.com/dleague/delaware/87ers_involved__fourteam_tr_2014_03_08.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310215307/http://www.nba.com/dleague/delaware/87ers_involved__fourteam_tr_2014_03_08.html |archive-date=March 10, 2014 |access-date=March 8, 2014 |website=NBA.com |df=mdy-all}} and played out the rest of the 2013–14 season with the team. Blue appeared in 27 D-League games for three teams in 2013–14, averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game.{{Cite web |title=Vander Blue D-League Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/dleague/players/b/blueva01d.html |access-date=September 29, 2014 |website=Basketball-Reference.com}}

=Los Angeles D-Fenders (2014–2015)=

In July 2014, Blue joined the San Antonio Spurs for the 2014 NBA Summer League. On September 29, 2014, he signed with the Washington Wizards.{{Cite news |date=September 29, 2014 |title=Wizards Sign Six for Training Camp |work=NBA.com |url=http://www.nba.com/wizards/wizards-sign-six-training-camp |access-date=September 29, 2014}} However, he was later waived by the Wizards on October 3.{{Cite web |date=October 3, 2014 |title=WIZARDS WAIVE BLUE AND STOCKTON |url=http://wizardsmysticstoday.monumentalnetwork.com/2014/10/03/wizards-waive-blue-and-stockton |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095540/http://wizardsmysticstoday.monumentalnetwork.com/2014/10/03/wizards-waive-blue-and-stockton |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=October 3, 2014 |website=WizardsMysticsToday.MonumentalNetwork.com}} On October 30, he was reacquired by the Idaho Stampede. The next day, he was traded to the Los Angeles D-Fenders in exchange for a second round pick (36th overall) in the 2014 NBA Development League Draft.{{Cite news |date=October 31, 2014 |title=Stampede Acquires Second Round Pick from D-Fenders |work=OurSportsCentral.com |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4889615 |access-date=October 31, 2014}} On February 12, 2015, he was named to the Futures All-Star team for the 2015 NBA D-League All-Star Game as a replacement for Jordan Hamilton.{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2015 |title=Thirteen NBA Veterans Headline Rosters for NBA Development League All-Star Game Presented by Kumho Tire |url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/nba-development-league-all-star-game-rosters-2015/ |access-date=July 27, 2015 |website=NBA.com}}{{Cite news |date=February 12, 2015 |title=Four Replacements Announced for NBA Development League All-Star Game |work=OurSportsCentral.com |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4926471 |access-date=February 12, 2015}}

= Los Angeles Lakers (2015) =

On April 13, 2015, Blue signed with the Los Angeles Lakers to help the team deal with numerous injuries. The Lakers had to use an NBA hardship exemption in order to sign him as he made their roster stand at 16, one over the allowed limited of 15.{{Cite web |date=April 13, 2015 |title=Lakers Sign Vander Blue |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/150413_vanderBlue |access-date=April 13, 2015 |website=NBA.com}} Due to the severe lack of guard depth, in the two games he played for the Lakers, he logged 26 and 48 minutes respectively.{{Cite web |title=Vander Blue 2014–15 Game Log |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/blueva01/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=July 7, 2015 |website=Basketball-Reference.com}}

= Second stint with the D-Fenders (2015–2016) =

In July 2015, Blue joined the Chicago Bulls for the 2015 NBA Summer League.{{Cite web |date=July 7, 2015 |title=BULLS ANNOUNCE NBA SUMMER LEAGUE 2015 ROSTER |url=http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/bulls-announce-nba-summer-league-2015-roster |access-date=July 7, 2015 |website=NBA.com}} On October 31, he was reacquired by the Los Angeles D-Fenders.{{Cite news |date=October 31, 2015 |title=D-Fenders Finalize 2015 Training Camp Roster |work=OurSportsCentral.com |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=5065520 |access-date=October 31, 2015}} On January 29, he was named in the West All-Star team for the 2016 NBA D-League All-Star Game, earning his second straight All-Star nod.{{Cite web |date=January 29, 2016 |title=Sixteen NBA Veterans Headline Rosters for NBA Development League All-Star Game Presented By Kumho Tire |url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/2016-nba-development-league-all-star-game-rosters/ |access-date=January 29, 2016 |website=NBA.com}} At the season's end, he was named to the All-NBA D-League First Team.{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2016 |title=NBA Development League Announces 2015–16 All-NBA D-League Teams |url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/2015-16-all-nba-dleague-teams-release/ |access-date=April 30, 2016 |website=NBA.com}}

=Guangxi Rhinos (2016)=

In July 2016, Blue joined the Dallas Mavericks for the 2016 NBA Summer League.{{Cite web |last=Karalla |first=Bobby |date=June 29, 2016 |title=2016 Mavericks Orlando Summer League Roster |url=http://www.mavs.com/2016-mavericks-orlando-summer-league-roster/ |access-date=October 1, 2016 |website=Mavs.com}} The following month, he had a one-game stint in China with the Guangxi Rhinos.

= Third stint with the D-Fenders (2016–2017) =

Blue returned to the US and re-joined the Los Angeles D-Fenders on October 30, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Primeaux |first=Ryan |date=October 30, 2016 |title=D-Fenders Finalize Training Camp Roster and Schedule |url=http://losangeles.dleague.nba.com/news/161030-d-fenders-finalize-training-camp-roster/ |access-date=December 4, 2016 |website=NBA.com}} On February 6, 2017, he was named in the Western Conference All-Star team for the 2017 NBA D-League All-Star Game, earning his third straight All-Star nod.{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2017 |title=Rosters for 2017 NBA Development League All-Star Game Presented By Kumho Tire |url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/2017-nba-development-league-all-star-game-rosters/ |access-date=February 7, 2017 |website=NBA.com}} On April 24, 2017, he was named the recipient of the NBA Development League Most Valuable Player Award for the 2016–17 season. He ranked third in the league in scoring with 24.8 points per game and added 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and a team-high 1.6 steals in 47 games (46 starts). He was twice named Player of the Week during the season and helped the D-Fenders finish tied for the best record in the Western Conference at 34–16. Blue scored at least 30 points 10 times and reached the 40-point mark twice. On March 29, he made an NBA D-League-record 23 free throws en route to a season-high 41 points to go with seven rebounds and five steals in a 139–132 road victory over the Reno Bighorns.{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2017 |title=Los Angeles D-Fenders Guard Vander Blue Named 2016–17 NBA D-League MVP |url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/vander-blue-nba-dleague-mvp-los-angeles-dfenders-highlights/ |access-date=April 24, 2017 |website=NBA.com}}

= Return to the Lakers (2017–2018) =

On August 4, 2017, Blue signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, returning to the franchise for a second stint.{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2017 |title=Lakers Sign Vander Blue |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/170804-vander-blue-signs |access-date=August 4, 2017 |website=NBA.com}} He was waived on October 14 as one of the team's final preseason roster cuts.{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2017 |title=Lakers Waive Blue, Wear, and Weber |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/171014-lakers-roster-moves |access-date=October 14, 2017 |website=NBA.com}} On October 18, 2017, he signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Under the terms of the deal, he split time between the Lakers and their NBA G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.{{Cite news |date=October 18, 2017 |title=Lakers Sign Vander Blue |work=NBA.com |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/171018-vander-blue-signs |access-date=October 18, 2017}} On January 12, 2018, he was waived by the Lakers.{{Cite news |date=January 12, 2018 |title=Lakers Waive Vander Blue |work=NBA.com |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/180112-blue-waived?ls=recent_news?ls=recent_news |access-date=January 12, 2018}}

= Auxilium Torino (2018) =

On February 2, 2018, Blue signed with Italian club Auxilium Torino for the rest of the 2017–18 season.{{Cite news |date=February 2, 2018 |title=Fiat Torino signs Vander Blue |work=Sportando.com |url=https://www.sportando.com/en/italy/serie-a/263459/fiat-torino-signs-vander-blue.html |access-date=February 2, 2018}}

Blue went to win the 2018 edition of the Italian Basketball Cup with Fiat Torino by beating Germani Basket Brescia 69–67 in the Finals.{{Cite web |last= |date=February 18, 2018 |title=Basket, Final Eight: Torino-Brescia 69–67. Storica prima dell'Auxilium |trans-title=Basketball, Final Eight: Torino-Brescia 69–67. Historical first time for Auxilium |url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Basket/18-02-2018/basket-final-eight-torino-brescia-250376614451.shtml |access-date=February 18, 2018 |website=gazzetta.it |language=it}} Blue was named Finals MVP of the competition recording 11 points, two rebounds, and three assists.{{Cite web |last= |date=February 18, 2018 |title=Vander Blue è l'MVP delle Final Eight di Firenze |trans-title=Vander Blue named MVP of the Final Eight in Florence |url=https://sportando.basketball/it/italia/serie-a/265266/vander-blue-e-l-mvp-delle-final-eight-di-firenze.html |website=Sportando.com |language=it}}

=Wisconsin Herd (2018–2019)=

Blue joined the Wisconsin Herd of the G League when the team acquired his league rights from South Bay on November 16.{{Cite news |date=November 16, 2018 |title=Wisconsin Herd Acquires Rights to Vander Blue from South Bay Lakers |work=NBA.com |url=https://wisconsin.gleague.nba.com/news/wisconsin-herd-acquires-rights-to-vander-blue-from-south-bay-lakers/ |access-date=November 22, 2018}}

= Texas Legends (2019) =

On January 24, 2019, Blue was traded to the Texas Legends for the returning player rights to Damon Lynn and a 2019 NBA G League second round pick.{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2019 |title=Legends Acquire Vander Blue |url=https://texas.gleague.nba.com/news/legends-acquire-vander-blue/ |access-date=January 27, 2019 |website=NBA G League}}

=Santa Cruz Warriors (2019)=

Blue joined the Santa Cruz Warriors in 2019.{{Cite web |date=November 7, 2019 |title=Santa Cruz Warriors Announce 2019–20 Opening Night Roster |url=https://santacruz.gleague.nba.com/news/santa-cruz-warriors-announce-2019-20-opening-night-roster/ |access-date=December 9, 2019 |website=NBA.com}} He was waived by the Warriors on December 12, after averaging 8.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.{{Cite news |date=December 13, 2019 |title=Vander Blue: Let go by G League Warriors |work=CBS Sports |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/vander-blue-let-go-by-g-league-warriors/ |access-date=December 18, 2019}}

= Libertadores de Querétaro (2021) =

On March 8, 2020, Blue signed with Golden Eagle Ylli of the Kosovo Basketball Superleague.{{Cite news |last=Lupo |first=Nicola |date=March 8, 2020 |title=Vander Blue signs with Golden Eagle Ylli |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/vander-blue-signs-with-golden-eagle-ylli/ |access-date=March 9, 2020 |website=Sportando }}

On August 18, 2021, Blue signed with Libertadores de Querétaro of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP).{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2021 |title=Libertadores sign Vander Blue, ex Ylli |url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Kosovo/news/700577/Libertadores-sign-Vander-Blue,-ex-Ylli |access-date=August 18, 2021 |website=Eurobasket}}

= Peñarol (2021) =

On February 19, 2021, Blue signed with Club Atlético Peñarol of the Liga Uruguaya de Basketball.{{Cite web |last=Dahan |first=Netanel |date=February 19, 2022 |title=Vander Blue (ex H.Afula) signs at Penarol |url=https://www.eurobasket.com/Israel/news/732121/Vander-Blue-(ex-H.Afula)-signs-at-Penarol |access-date=February 19, 2022 |website=Eurobasket}}

= Libertadores de Querétaro (2022) =

In August 2022, Blue returned to the Libertadores de Querétaro for the 2022 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.diariodequeretaro.com.mx/deportes/regresa-vander-blue-8750814.html|title=Regresa Vander Blue|work=Diario de Querétaro|first=Marcos|last=Arellano|date=August 16, 2022|access-date=December 18, 2022|language=es}} He earned LNBP All-Star honors.{{cite news|url=https://www.informador.mx/deportes/Conforman-equipos-para-el-Juego-de-Estrellas-de-la-LNBP-20220823-0098.html|title=Conforman equipos para el Juego de Estrellas de la LNBP|work=Informador.mx|first=Javier|last=Robles|date=August 23, 2022|access-date=December 18, 2022|language=es}}

= Ángeles de la Ciudad de México (2024–present) =

In January 2024, Blue signed with the Ángeles de la Ciudad de México, an expansion team in the Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico (CIBACOPA).{{cite news|url=https://www.elimparcial.com/sonora/sonora/Anuncian-Angeles-de-CDMX-a-ex-jugador-de-NBA-20240109-0043.html|title=Anuncian Ángeles de CDMX a ex jugador de NBA|work=El Imparcial|date=January 9, 2024|access-date=January 26, 2024|language=es}}