BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Vanderbilt women’s basketball player Mikayla Blakes was named the SEC Freshman of the Week for a league-leading sixth time to set the school record for the most weekly SEC frosh awards earned in a season.
Blakes scored 22 points, pulled down four rebounds, and collected three steals at No. 4/6 Texas last Thursday in her lone contest of the week. Her six SEC Freshman of the Week selections sets the school record for most weekly SEC freshman honors in a season, breaking Khamil Pierre’s previous record of five set during the 2023-24 campaign.
The freshman guard extended her double-digit scoring streak to 10 games with a 22-point performance at No. 4/6 Texas. Blakes shot 57.1 percent from the field and went a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Additionally, she pulled down four rebounds, tallied three steals, and dished out two assists against the Longhorns.
The Somerset, New Jersey, native posted her 15th game of the season with 20 or more points. Her 22 points at Texas marked the freshman’s seventh SEC game in which she scored 20-plus points. Blakes is averaging 22.8 points in five games vs. ranked opponents this season, while she is putting up
Blakes has had a spectacular first season at Vanderbilt, as she has launched herself into the conversation for national freshman of the year consideration. Blakes is the only freshman in the country to average over 20 points per game this season at 22.1, while she is the only player to rank in the top 10 among NCAA freshmen in scoring (1st; 22.1), steals (t-3rd; 58), and 3-pointers made (4th; 53). Her career-high 53-point performance at Florida on Jan. 30 set the SEC single-game scoring record and is the most points scored by a true freshman in a game in NCAA Division I history.
The Commodores return to Memorial Gymnasium Thursday, as Vanderbilt welcomes Mississippi State to the Music City. Tipoff against the Bulldogs is set for 8 p.m. and airs live on SEC Network.
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