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And, as it stands, the Badgers have filled out their '09 class after securing commitments from forward Mike Bruesewitz of Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights, Minn., in February, and guard Diamond Taylor of St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Ill., in March.
So with its recruiting focus pinpointed beyond those classes, UW gained its first pledge for its 2010 class on Monday night when Madison Memorial sophomore guard Vander Blue said he will play for the Badgers.
''Me and my family have been talking about this for a couple weeks,'' Blue said. ''I just felt really comfortable when I visited (UW). I've got a good feeling about this.''
The 6-foot-3 Blue is the first member of a 2010 class that is expected to consist of two players. The Badgers also are pursuing Eau Claire North center Evan Anderson.
Blue - who recently received scholarship offers from Marquette and Indiana, according to Memorial coach Steve Collins - said he was glad to have made an early decision about his basketball future.
''I didn't want to enter my senior year ... worrying about what school I was going to go to,'' said Blue, who added UW's academic reputation also played a significant role in his decision.
Blue was an honorable mention all-state pick by The Associated Press after averaging 12.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in helping the Spartans to a 23-3 record and a berth in the WIAA Division 1 state championship game.
Collins said Blue's variety of skills and floor game remind him a bit of former Memorial standout Wesley Matthews, who plays at Marquette.
''I think he's going to be a versatile player,'' Collins said of Blue. ''He's really going to fit into (UW coach Bo Ryan's) system well.
''He's just developed so much in the last year. It's going to be scary to think what he's going to be able to do in the next couple years. His game is coming around and becoming so much more complete.''
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