Vander Blue of the Los Angeles D-Fenders today was named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, Dec. 19, through Sunday, Dec. 25.
Blue (6-4, Marquette) led Los Angeles to a 3-0 week, averaging a league-best 29.0 points on 52.2 percent shooting to go with 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals. On Dec. 19, he made a franchise-record 17 free throws on his way to 32 points in a 114-106 victory over the Long Island Nets. On Dec. 22, he tallied season highs with 33 points and 12 rebounds in a 99-92 win over the Greensboro Swarm, his first double-double of the season.
Blue is averaging 23.3 points on 47.4 percent shooting, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals on the season. He has scored at least 30 points in three of his last four games. Blue was a member of the 2016 All-NBA D-League First Team and has been selected to the NBA D-League All-Star Game the past two seasons.
Other top performers considered included Northern Arizona’s Elijah Millsap, Oklahoma City’s Alex Caruso and Texas’ Pierre Jackson.