News Summary
Mikayla Blakes, a standout sophomore from Vanderbilt University, played a pivotal role in Team USA’s victory at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. In the championship game, she scored 27 points and secured six rebounds, earning MVP honors. Throughout the tournament, she averaged impressive stats and contributed significantly to Team USA’s perfect record. Blakes’ achievements reflect her potential for future success in both collegiate and international basketball, solidifying her status as a leading figure in the sport.
Santiago, Chile – Mikayla Blakes, a standout sophomore from Vanderbilt University, led Team USA to a gold medal victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, solidifying her status as a rising star in women’s basketball. The championship encounter took place on July 6, where Team USA overcame Brazil with a final score of 92-84.
Blakes was instrumental in the decisive match, scoring 27 points and securing six rebounds, which earned her the prestigious title of player of the game. Her performance throughout the tournament was exceptional, ultimately being honored as the MVP of the FIBA AmeriCup. Additionally, she was selected for the competition’s “All-Star 5,” a recognition of the top five players in the tournament, alongside Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo.
Team USA’s journey to the gold medal was marked by dominance, with the team finishing the tournament with a perfect record. They posted impressive victories during the group stage against Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, achieving an average margin of victory of 46.5 points per game. Throughout the tournament, Blakes shone as a key player, averaging 12 points, 2.75 rebounds, and 1.75 steals per game, while shooting approximately 45% from the field.
In the knockout rounds, Blakes continued to showcase her skills, netting 12 points against the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals and following that with 11 points against Canada in the semifinals. Despite entering the championship game as the FIBA world-ranked No. 10 team, Team USA managed to recover after trailing Brazil 47-45 at halftime, and rallied to secure their victory in the fourth quarter.
Blakes’s contributions went beyond scoring; she also led Team USA in minutes played throughout the tournament, averaging 22 minutes per game. Her consistent performance solidified her role as a leader on the court. This accolade comes on the heels of her impressive collegiate season, where she led the Vanderbilt Commodores with an average of 23.2 points per game and earned both the SEC Freshman of the Year title and the Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Year award.
Following the championship victory, Blakes took to social media to express her gratitude, referring to the experience as feeling “beyond blessed.” This sentiment reflects not only her dedication to the game but also her appreciation for her teammates and the journey they undertook together during the tournament.
As Mikayla Blakes continues her career at Vanderbilt, her achievements in the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup have undoubtedly set a benchmark for her future endeavors both on the collegiate and international stages. With her impressive skill set and leadership qualities, Blakes is poised to make significant impacts in the sport for years to come.
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Additional Resources
- WSMV: Mikayla Blakes Returns to Nashville After Gold Medal Summer
- Wikipedia: Mikayla Blakes
- Vanderbilt Commodores: Press Conference – Mikayla Blakes
- Google Search: Mikayla Blakes
- Tennessean: Mikayla Blakes Named MVP
- Google Scholar: Mikayla Blakes Basketball
- Vanderbilt Hustler: Mikayla Blakes and Team USA Shine at FIBA Women’s AmeriCup
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mikayla Blakes
Author: HERE Nashville
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