Blakes averages 3.14 steals per game
The Engine: Mikayla Blakes Recognized for Elite Two-Way Play
On Tuesday, Mikayla Blakes was named to the 2025-26 Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year Watch List presented by MOLECULE. Blakes has been a standout on both ends of the court for the Commodores this season, but her defensive contributions have been as huge as any.
Mikayla is one of 25 players that made the watch list and one of 12 in the SEC. As of now, Blakes has recorded 66 steals this season, which ranks 12th in the country and third in the SEC. Her 3.14 steals per game places her fifth in the conference in that category.
Mikayla Blakes is the engine that drives this Commodores team. The leadership on and off the court and her drive to do something uncommon has helped bring national attention to this program. The All-American sophomore is averaging 24.7 points per game, which is second in the nation and first in the SEC.
Her motor to withstand adversity is one that shines the brightest, and even on an off night she still turns it into a productive performance for the Dores.
“I was really proud of Michaela. I thought Michaela played hard the whole game. She was putting in some tough positions. They defended her really well. That kid never quit. Um, and I think, There’s a lot that we can learn from that kind of mentality, and she’s not the only one, but I just point her out because she’s my best player, right? And she had to do, she always does a lot for us. But we need to learn how to operate that way.”
That was Vanderbilt Commodores WBB Head Coach Shea Ralph after Sunday’s game at South Carolina.
Vanderbilt is currently 20-1 with a 6-1 SEC mark and ranked in the national top five. Keep watch and attention on Mikayla Blakes and the Dores as the season continues. The best ball to be played is still out in front as we get closer and closer to the latter part of the season.
