All-American and National Freshman of the Year Mikayla Blakes took the next step in her basketball career on the international stage at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup from June 28-July 6. After participating in trials back in early June, Blakes was selected for the United States basketball team that would be playing in the event.
Packed with future WNBA draft picks like LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson and TCU’s Olivia Miles, the star-studded Team USA arrived with high expectations, and they were eager to avenge a second-place finish in 2023.
Team USA quickly got to work in the group stage, defeating Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico and Mexico with ease. The average margin of victory was 46.5 points per game and three of the United States’ opponents did not break the 50-point mark.
Blakes emerged as a star immediately, looking like a natural against the rest of the world. In the group stage, Blakes averaged 12.0 points, 2.25 assists, 2.75 rebounds and 1.75 steals per game whilst shooting 45% from the field. While these numbers are fantastic, Blakes truly stepped it up once it mattered the most.
Blakes kept up her consistent work against the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals and Canada in the semifinals, posting 12 and 11 points in each game, respectively. Ultimately, Team USA cruised to victories in both games, securing a spot in the championship against the FIBA world-ranked No. 10, Brazil.
Blakes erupted against Brazil, and with a gold medal on the line, the Vanderbilt guard was unstoppable. She put up 18 points, three rebounds and two steals in the first half alone. With Brazil leading 47-45 at halftime, Blakes and Team USA continued to battle, pulling away in the 4th quarter to win, 92-84.
Nothing can get in Mikayla Blakes way 🔥🏀#AmeriCupW @usabasketball pic.twitter.com/x6QE0BaHg1
— FIBA Women’s AmeriCup (@americupw) July 7, 2025
Blakes finished with 27 points and six rebounds, a stellar finale to earn her Women’s AmeriCup MVP honors as the most outstanding player throughout the tournament.
She came through in the clutch in the biggest game of the tournament 🏆
Your 2025 🇺🇸 #AmeriCupW MVP – Mikayla Blakes 🫡 pic.twitter.com/JzXIBT8ULh
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 7, 2025
Officially ending the tournament as Team USA’s leader in minutes and points per game, Blakes added yet another illustrious accolade to her steadily growing resume. The rising sophomore will return to the country as a gold medalist.
