2022 East Ridge Guard Kendall Blue Chats Early Recruitment and His Year of Arrival

Kendall Blue showed up on my radar last season when I came across him playing vs Park of Cottage Grove. While editing highlights for another player, I kept coming back to, “who’s this kid?”. He’s got a smooth game and a basketball IQ greater than his years.

At the time, I thought Blue could come along slowly and then blow up. His teammates at East Ridge were Ben Carlson and Kendall Brown, two of the state’s top recruits. But then, Brown transferred to Sunrise Academy in Kansas, over the summer. Carlson, still at East Ridge, is now a 2020 Senior leader. The future… is Blue.

With Brown leaving, East Ridge was left with a hole. In came Blue, ready to step in. It didn’t take long to make his presence felt. In the first game vs Prior Lake he had 2 showcase dunks and scored 19 in an 76-60 lost.

The following game, Blue had the dunk of the Breakdown Tip-off Classic. On a play in transition, he drove hard right (he’s a lefty ambidextrous) and threw down a game breaking slam. East Ridge went on to hold off Park Center for a 62-57 win.

Through 6 games of his Sophomore year, the 6’5 2022 Blue is averaging 13.2 points and 5 rebounds. He’s scored at least 10 in every game except the 58-28 win over Irondale where he scored 7. 

I was able to catch up with him via IG chat:

Q: A blow to your team this summer was Kendall Brown leaving for Sunrise Academy. At least it appeared like it was going to be. You seemed to have stepped up, how do you think you’ve done so far?

A: I think I’ve done great, I’m scoring the ball a lot for my team which is leading to victory’s for us. 

Q: You’ve definitely gotten on to some people’s radar’s a bit. How’d that dunk over Danja feel like?

A: Oh man, to be honest with you, I didn’t think I was going to be that. I knew I was going to dunk it just didn’t know he was going to jump with me. But it was an exciting moment for me.

Q: I was watching the Apollo/Cambridge game and the person next me goes, “Something just happened over there.” It was your dunk. You kind of feel people are noticing you a little more?

A: Yes.

Q: Have you heard from any colleges yet?

A: Purdue, South Dakota, St. Thomas.

Q: Have they offered you?

A: Not yet but interested. (He told GopherHole.com he heard from Minnesota – no offer there yet either)

Q: So I’ve noticed not just in dunks but lay-ups you finish right but shoot left. Any reason for that?

A: I’m ambidextrous so I’m able to go both ways comfortably.

Q: That’s quite the skill. How was it growing up with 2 parents that played college sports?

A: It was good, they teach me a lot about the process and how to handle things. Also they give lots of advice.

Q: That’s good to have a strong support system. You have an excellent teammate in Ben Carlson, is there anything you learn from just being his teammate?

A: Becoming more of a  leader.

Ryan Schmidt | Minnesota Sports Fan