NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Vanderbilt’s freshman standout Mikayla Blakes is well aware that every time she scores, she draws more attention. This heightened scrutiny comes with the territory when you drop 53 points in a game followed by setting an NCAA freshman single-game scoring record with 55 just 17 days later.
“It’s expected that everyone will try to stop me now,” Blakes remarked on the increased focus from opponents in their scouting efforts. “So, I believe that continuously pushing forward, working on my weaknesses, and transforming them into strengths will definitely benefit me.”
Blakes has reached the 30-point mark in five games, a feat tied for the fourth-highest in NCAA Division I this season and the most among freshmen. Currently, she ranks second in the Southeastern Conference with an average of 23.3 points per game.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley praised Blakes as special after her team, the No. 6 Gamecocks, limited the freshman to 19 points in their recent matchup. Despite only scoring two points in the fourth quarter, Blakes was commended for her relentless effort on both ends of the court by Staley.
Blakes’ remarkable achievements have already placed her in an elite class. Her 55-point performance ranks ninth in NCAA history, making her only the second player, alongside Patricia Hoskins of Mississippi Valley State, to score 53 or more points twice in a single season. Notably, Blakes achieved a 53-point game on Jan. 30 in a victory against Florida.
During a game against Auburn where Vanderbilt trailed by 15, Blakes’ brother Jaylen initially deemed the match over. However, she defied the odds by scoring 30 of her 55 points in the final 10 minutes and 25 seconds of regulation and overtime, leading her team to victory.
In addition to her scoring prowess, Blakes’ competitiveness and aversion to losing have also been highlighted by her family members. Her brother Jaylen emphasized her strong dislike for losing and credited her determination for the inspiring comeback against Auburn.
Multiple prestigious universities vied for Blakes, including Stanford, UCLA, Tennessee, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Rutgers. Ultimately, it was Shea Ralph’s pitch that convinced Blakes to become her highest-rated recruit for Vanderbilt in her fourth season as head coach.
Despite the disappointment expressed by Tara VanDerveer for not landing Blakes at Stanford, the Hall of Fame coach acknowledged Mikayla’s excellence and lauded her academic achievements. VanDerveer expressed happiness for the freshman’s success and praised her commitment to Vanderbilt’s program.
Blakes’ decision to join Vanderbilt over other esteemed programs was influenced by her desire to contribute to building something significant. With her collegiate career unfolding impressively, Blakes is poised to lead Vanderbilt to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance after a decade-long hiatus.
During the week on Thursdays and Sundays, the Blakes siblings engage in friendly sibling rivalry to keep up with each other’s athletic prowess. In a remarkable comeback performance against Auburn, Mikayla Blakes showcased her exceptional basketball skills by joining the ranks of legends like LeBron James as one of the few players to score 55 or more points while playing every single second of a game since 2005. This impressive feat spans across various levels of basketball, including the NBA, WNBA, NCAA men’s, and women’s basketball. Mikayla’s outstanding performance not only earned her recognition as both the SEC player and freshman of the week but also marked a historic achievement not seen in the league since the days of Candace Parker back in 2006.
Ralph, a key figure in the basketball scene, acknowledged that Mikayla Blakes has been a standout player for quite some time now. Despite her undeniable talent, Ralph particularly admired Mikayla’s performance as a point guard during the game against South Carolina. Looking ahead, Ralph is focused on ensuring that the talented freshman doesn’t bear the sole burden of scoring 50 points for their team to secure victory. As the Commodores gear up to host Texas A&M in their final home game of the regular season on Thursday night, Ralph emphasized the importance of teamwork and collective effort in achieving success on the court.
Contributions from AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley in San Francisco and AP Basketball Writer Aaron Beard have enriched this report with valuable insights and analysis. Stay informed and receive timely updates on the latest developments in the world of college basketball by signing up for poll alerts and staying connected with the AP Top 25 rankings throughout the season. For more updates and comprehensive coverage of women’s college basketball, visit the following links: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball.
