Vander Blue
Ángeles de la Ciudad de México
PositionShooting guard
LeagueCIBACOPA
Personal information
Born (1992-07-17) July 17, 1992 (age 31)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolMemorial (Madison, Wisconsin)
CollegeMarquette (2010–2013)
NBA draft2013: undrafted
Playing career2013–present
Career history
2013Maccabi Rishon LeZion
2014Delaware 87ers
2014Boston Celtics
2014→Maine Red Claws
2014Delaware 87ers
2014Idaho Stampede
2014–2015Los Angeles D-Fenders
2015Los Angeles Lakers
2015–2016Los Angeles D-Fenders
2016Guangxi Rhinos
2016–2017Los Angeles D-Fenders
2017–2018Los Angeles Lakers
2017–2018→South Bay Lakers
2018Auxilium Torino
2018–2019Wisconsin Herd
2019Texas Legends
2019Santa Cruz Warriors
2021Libertadores de Querétaro
2021–2022Club Atlético Peñarol
2022Libertadores de Querétaro
2022–2023Al Sadd Doha
2024–presentÁngeles de la Ciudad de México
Career highlights and awards
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
Gold medal – first place 2010 San Antonio Team

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). He was a standout college player at Marquette University.

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.[1] 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.[2]

After the season, Blue bypassed his senior season and declared his eligibility for the 2013 NBA draft.[3]

Professional career

Maccabi Rishon LeZion (2013)

After going undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft, Blue joined the Houston Rockets for the Orlando Summer League[4] and the Memphis Grizzlies for the Las Vegas Summer League.[5] On September 27, 2013, he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.[6] However, he was later waived by the 76ers on October 25 after appearing in five preseason games.[7] Five days later, Blue signed with Maccabi Rishon LeZion of the Israeli Super League.[8] On December 31, 2013, he was released by Maccabi after appearing in just seven games.[9]

Delaware 87ers (2014)

On January 14, 2014, Blue was acquired by the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League.[10]

Boston Celtics (2014)

On January 22, 2014, Blue signed a 10-day contract with the Boston Celtics.[11] 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.[12] On January 31, he was assigned to the Maine Red Claws.[13] 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.[14] 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,[15] 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.[16]

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.[17] However, he was later waived by the Wizards on October 3.[18] 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.[19] 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.[20][21]

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.[22] Due to the severe lack of guard depth, in the two games he played for the Lakers, he logged 26 and 48 minutes respectively.[23]

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

In July 2015, Blue joined the Chicago Bulls for the 2015 NBA Summer League.[24] On October 31, he was reacquired by the Los Angeles D-Fenders.[25] 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.[26] At the season's end, he was named to the All-NBA D-League First Team.[27]

Guangxi Rhinos (2016)

In July 2016, Blue joined the Dallas Mavericks for the 2016 NBA Summer League.[28] 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.[29] 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.[30] 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.[31]

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.[32] He was waived on October 14 as one of the team's final preseason roster cuts.[33] 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.[34] On January 12, 2018, he was waived by the Lakers.[35]

Auxilium Torino (2018)

On February 2, 2018, Blue signed with Italian club Auxilium Torino for the rest of the 2017–18 season.[36]

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.[37] Blue was named Finals MVP of the competition recording 11 points, two rebounds, and three assists.[38]

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.[39]

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.[40]

Santa Cruz Warriors (2019)

Blue joined the Santa Cruz Warriors in 2019.[41] He was waived by the Warriors on December 12, after averaging 8.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.[42]

Libertadores de Querétaro (2021)

On March 8, 2020, Blue signed with Golden Eagle Ylli of the Kosovo Basketball Superleague.[43]

On August 18, 2021, Blue signed with Libertadores de Querétaro of the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP).[44]

Peñarol (2021)

On February 19, 2021, Blue signed with Club Atlético Peñarol of the Liga Uruguaya de Basketball.[45]

Libertadores de Querétaro (2022)

In August 2022, Blue returned to the Libertadores de Querétaro for the 2022 season.[46] He earned LNBP All-Star honors.[47]

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).[48]

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Boston 3 0 5.0 .500 .000 .200 1.0 .3 .0 .0 1.7
2014–15 L.A. Lakers 2 1 37.0 .300 .200 .400 4.5 4.0 1.5 .0 11.0
2017–18 L.A. Lakers 5 0 9.0 .200 .000 .500 0.2 0.6 0.2 .0 0.6
Career 10 1 13.4 .308 .154 .333 1.3 1.2 .4 .0 3.0

See also

References

  1. ^ Potrykus, Jeff (May 19, 2009). "Free speech sometimes comes with a price". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  2. ^ "Vander Blue Bio". GoMarquette.com. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  3. ^ "Marquette's Vander Blue to go pro". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 16, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  4. ^ "Rockets Summer League Schedule". NBA.com. May 28, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  5. ^ "Grizzlies Summer League 2013 roster". NBA.com. July 11, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  6. ^ "Sixers Announce 2013 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  7. ^ "Roster Transaction (10/25/2013)". NBA.com. October 25, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  8. ^ "Vander Blue signs with Maccabi Rishon LeZion". Sportando.com. October 30, 2013. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  9. ^ "Vander Blue waived by Maccabi Rishon LeZion". Sportando.com. December 31, 2013. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  10. ^ "Delaware 87ers Acquire Vander Blue Off Waivers". NBA.com. January 14, 2014. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  11. ^ "Celtics Sign Blue to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  12. ^ "Notebook: Celtics 113, Wizards 111 (OT)". NBA.com. January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  13. ^ "Celtics Assign Faverani, Blue to Red Claws". NBA.com. January 31, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  14. ^ "Report: Celtics will not re-sign Vander Blue". CSNNE.com. February 1, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  15. ^ "87ers Involved in Four-team Trade with Idaho, Santa Cruz, and Canton". NBA.com. March 7, 2014. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  16. ^ "Vander Blue D-League Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  17. ^ "Wizards Sign Six for Training Camp". NBA.com. September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  18. ^ "WIZARDS WAIVE BLUE AND STOCKTON". WizardsMysticsToday.MonumentalNetwork.com. October 3, 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  19. ^ "Stampede Acquires Second Round Pick from D-Fenders". OurSportsCentral.com. October 31, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  20. ^ "Thirteen NBA Veterans Headline Rosters for NBA Development League All-Star Game Presented by Kumho Tire". NBA.com. February 15, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  21. ^ "Four Replacements Announced for NBA Development League All-Star Game". OurSportsCentral.com. February 12, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  22. ^ "Lakers Sign Vander Blue". NBA.com. April 13, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  23. ^ "Vander Blue 2014–15 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  24. ^ "BULLS ANNOUNCE NBA SUMMER LEAGUE 2015 ROSTER". NBA.com. July 7, 2015. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  25. ^ "D-Fenders Finalize 2015 Training Camp Roster". OurSportsCentral.com. October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  26. ^ "Sixteen NBA Veterans Headline Rosters for NBA Development League All-Star Game Presented By Kumho Tire". NBA.com. January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  27. ^ "NBA Development League Announces 2015–16 All-NBA D-League Teams". NBA.com. April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  28. ^ Karalla, Bobby (June 29, 2016). "2016 Mavericks Orlando Summer League Roster". Mavs.com. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  29. ^ Primeaux, Ryan (October 30, 2016). "D-Fenders Finalize Training Camp Roster and Schedule". NBA.com. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  30. ^ "Rosters for 2017 NBA Development League All-Star Game Presented By Kumho Tire". NBA.com. February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  31. ^ "Los Angeles D-Fenders Guard Vander Blue Named 2016–17 NBA D-League MVP". NBA.com. April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  32. ^ "Lakers Sign Vander Blue". NBA.com. August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  33. ^ "Lakers Waive Blue, Wear, and Weber". NBA.com. October 14, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  34. ^ "Lakers Sign Vander Blue". NBA.com. October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  35. ^ "Lakers Waive Vander Blue". NBA.com. January 12, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  36. ^ "Fiat Torino signs Vander Blue". Sportando.com. February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  37. ^ "Basket, Final Eight: Torino-Brescia 69–67. Storica prima dell'Auxilium" [Basketball, Final Eight: Torino-Brescia 69–67. Historical first time for Auxilium]. gazzetta.it (in Italian). February 18, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  38. ^ "Vander Blue è l'MVP delle Final Eight di Firenze" [Vander Blue named MVP of the Final Eight in Florence]. Sportando.com (in Italian). February 18, 2018.
  39. ^ "Wisconsin Herd Acquires Rights to Vander Blue from South Bay Lakers". NBA.com. November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2018.
  40. ^ "Legends Acquire Vander Blue". NBA G League. January 24, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  41. ^ "Santa Cruz Warriors Announce 2019–20 Opening Night Roster". NBA.com. November 7, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  42. ^ "Vander Blue: Let go by G League Warriors". CBS Sports. December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  43. ^ Lupo, Nicola (March 8, 2020). "Vander Blue signs with Golden Eagle Ylli". Sportando. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  44. ^ "Libertadores sign Vander Blue, ex Ylli". Eurobasket. August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  45. ^ Dahan, Netanel (February 19, 2022). "Vander Blue (ex H.Afula) signs at Penarol". Eurobasket. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  46. ^ Arellano, Marcos (August 16, 2022). "Regresa Vander Blue". Diario de Querétaro (in Spanish). Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  47. ^ Robles, Javier (August 23, 2022). "Conforman equipos para el Juego de Estrellas de la LNBP". Informador.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  48. ^ "Anuncian Ángeles de CDMX a ex jugador de NBA". El Imparcial (in Spanish). January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.

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