Vanderbilt freshman guard Mikayla Blakes made headlines yet again after a record-breaking performance against the Florida Gators last week.
She wrote her name in the history books after a 53-point performance, which set records for true-freshman single-game points and SEC single-game points. This young star has reshaped the expectations for freshmen in women’s college basketball and has brought championship aspirations to a Vanderbilt team in a very competitive SEC.
Mikayla Blakes Sets Single-Game Freshman, SEC Records
Mikayla Blakes’ 53-point outing against Florida on Thursday was a historic achievement. It set the SEC single-game scoring record and claimed the NCAA single-game record for true freshmen.
This performance, which helped Vanderbilt secure a 99-86 victory over the Gators, has placed Blakes among the sport’s elite players. Her elite scoring performance surpassed the 22-year-old SEC record, marking an unforgettable night in her career.
Blakes solidified her place among top-tier women’s college basketball players by earning a spot in the prestigious “40+ Point Club.” She made her way into this exclusive group and emerged as one of the standout leaders, leading the charge in high-scoring performances.
She shot 63.6% from the field across two games, averaging 34.5 points. This made her the only NCAA Division I player—men’s or women’s—to score at least 50 points in a game this season. Blakes’ performance against Florida also showcased her versatility.
She made 11 of 12 layups, earned 18 free-throw attempts, and hit 5 of 9 three-pointers. Blakes’ outstanding performance has significantly raised her and the Commodores’ profile.
Last year, the Commodores made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade. This season, they finally cracked the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2014. Blakes is currently second on the team in assists and steals, making her one of the most complete players in the conference on a surging team.
Coach Shea Ralph was quick to praise Blakes’ poise and leadership after her incredible performance against Florida.
“When it comes time to win, Mikayla Blakes is going to do what it takes to win, Ralph said. “And today, it took 53 points and all of the other things she did, commanding the ball at the right moments through a super-physical game.”
Ralph elaborated on Blakes’ efforts, saying that her composure played a huge role in the outing.
“I was very impressed with her poise and her composure. She is certainly the best freshman in the country, I would say, and there are a lot of good ones.”
Blakes’ success has helped lift Vanderbilt to a solid position in the SEC standings, who are currently sitting sixth in the conference. With the team on pace for a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament and a potential chance to host two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, the future looks bright for both Blakes and the Commodores.
Blakes’ Case for Freshman of the Year
Blakes’ journey to college basketball stardom is remarkable, especially considering she only started playing the sport at the age of 12. Despite this late start, Blakes has rapidly developed into one of the most prolific scorers in the country.
According to Her Hoop Stats profile, Blakes was averaging 21 points per game entering the Florida game, ranking her 15th nationally.
Blakes is now a strong contender for the Freshman of the Year award, and the competition is stiff. UConn’s Sarah Strong and South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards play for national powerhouses, but neither has the same level of individual responsibility that Blakes holds at Vanderbilt.
KEEP READING: Top 10 Women’s College Basketball Players in 2025
Her father, Monroe Blakes, highlighted the importance of competitiveness in her development as a player.
“One of the things that I always talked to my kids about is, ‘You have to compete every time you step on the court. And so some days shots may or may not go in, but you have to compete at a high level because that goes everywhere.’ And I think that’s what transfers over,” he told The Athletic.
Blakes has continued to impress throughout the season, scoring in double figures in every SEC game. With the Commodores set to face Ole Miss, the fifth-best scoring defense in the country, it will be interesting to see how Blakes handles that challenge.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
