Vanderbilt Commodores guard Mikayla Blakes, a freshman sensation, didn’t just introduce herself to the SEC—she dominated it. From jaw-dropping scoring displays to historic accolades, Blakes solidified her place as one of the brightest young stars in college basketball.
Her standout season culminated in her earning the prestigious SEC Freshman of the Year award, which was accompanied by multiple other honors recognizing her immense impact on the court.
Mikayla Blakes Stands Above Rest After Shattering Records
Mikayla Blakes’ phenomenal freshman season earned her the SEC Freshman of the Year title and a spot on the First-Team all-SEC team.
Additionally, the Vanderbilt guard was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, an honor befitting her dominant performances throughout the year. The official SEC X account celebrated the achievement with a post featuring a beaming Blakes proudly wearing her Vanderbilt jersey.
⭐️ 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year
⚓️ Mikayla Blakes, @VandyWBB #SECWBB pic.twitter.com/UHRwCZwpnt
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) March 4, 2025
The post read, “2025 SEC Freshman of the Year.”
Statistically, Blakes had one of the most impressive seasons by any freshman in recent memory. She averaged 23.1 points per game, along with 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.5 steals.
Her scoring ability separated her from the rest of the conference. She not only led all SEC freshmen in points per game but was also among the top scorers nationally. Her well-rounded contributions to Vanderbilt’s success were undeniable, helping propel the Commodores to a competitive season.
Her talent and work ethic were recognized beyond the SEC, as she was named a Second Team All-American by The Athletic. In the USA TODAY Sports Network’s All-SEC awards, Blakes earned a First Team selection, as well as the SEC Newcomer of the Year honor, surpassing Kentucky’s Georgia Amoore in the process.
The accolades kept pouring in as Blakes achieved what no Vanderbilt player had in over two decades. She became the first Commodore to be named a First- or Second-Team All-American since Chantelle Anderson in 2003.
Throughout the regular season, she earned multiple weekly honors, including SEC Freshman of the Week seven times, SEC Player of the Week once, Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week four times, and National AP Player of the Week twice.
Record-Breaking Performances Cement Blakes’ Legacy
Blakes also set Vanderbilt’s single-season freshman scoring record with an astonishing 699 points. Even more impressively, she accomplished something few players ever do: multiple 50-point games in a single season.
Her first historic performance came against Florida, where she dropped 53 points, setting the NCAA true freshman scoring record. But she wasn’t done yet. Just a few weeks later, she topped herself with an even more remarkable 55-point explosion against Auburn, breaking the same record she set previously.
These jaw-dropping numbers placed her in the record books and made her the first Vanderbilt player to win SEC Freshman of the Year since Donna Harris in the 1989-90 season.
Blakes played a pivotal role in Vanderbilt’s success, helping the team to a 21-9 overall record and an 8-8 mark in SEC play. She showcased her all-around game by leading all freshmen nationally in scoring (23.3 points per game) while ranking sixth among all players.
She was also the only freshman in the top-35 nationally in multiple categories: scoring (6th), free throws made (8th, 167), steals (21st, 75), and three-pointers made (32nd, 72).
MORE POSTSEASON HONORS: USA TODAY Sports Network’s 2025 All-SEC Women’s Basketball Awards
Her standout performances in SEC play were particularly impressive. She led the conference in scoring during league games, averaging 26.9 points per outing. She recorded 30 or more points in five SEC matchups and surpassed the 20-point mark in 18 games.
Her success was admired by her coach and basketball analysts alike. USC Trojans coach Lindsay Gottlieb highly praised her talent.
“Her talent jumps off the screen for people who are watching on TV—the explosiveness, the body control, the complete game. To me, what makes her next level is her impact on winning and her ability to rise to any moment that presents itself, no matter how big,” the Trojans’ coach said.
As Vanderbilt prepares for the SEC Tournament, Blakes will undoubtedly be the focal point of their game plan. The Commodores enter as the No. 8 seed.
They will face the winner of the first-round matchup between No. 9 seed Tennessee and No. 16 seed Texas A&M. With Blakes leading the charge, Vanderbilt has the potential to make a deep run and continue their impressive season.
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