Vanderbilt women’s basketball star Mikayla Blakes had one hell of a freshman campaign for the ’Dores. During the 2024-25 season, Blakes was perpetually on fire. First, she broke the Vanderbilt and SEC single-game scoring records by pouring in 53 points in a win over Florida on Jan. 19. Then, less than a month later, she upped that already sky-high total, dropping 55 points in an overtime victory at Auburn to break the NCAA freshman single-game scoring record. For her exploits, Blakes was voted the National Freshman of the Year and second-team All-American. For an encore, Blakes led a Team USA squad made up of fellow college stars to the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup title this summer; she was named the tournament MVP.
Best Collegiate Athlete
Mikayla Blakes
Freshman Mikayla Blakes during Vanderbilt's home game against Butler, Nov. 17, 2024
