Freshman Mikayla Blakes Sets NCAA Scoring Record

Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo (3) drives against Louisville guard Ja'Leah Williams, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo

The latest standout in women’s college basketball is Mikayla Blakes from Vanderbilt, who has been named the Associated Press national player of the week for Week 13 of the season. Blakes, a freshman guard, made history by setting the NCAA freshman single-game scoring record with an impressive 53 points against Florida. This remarkable performance also established a new SEC single-game scoring record that had remained unbroken for over 22 years. Notably, Blakes is the sole NCAA Division I player, across both men’s and women’s basketball, to achieve the feat of scoring at least 50 points in a game this season. She maintained an outstanding average of 34.5 points in her two games while shooting an impressive 63.6% from the field.

Runner-Up and Honorable Mentions

Following closely behind Blakes is Hannah Hidalgo from Notre Dame, the runner-up for the national player of the week title. The sophomore guard showcased her talent by being the only player in the country to deliver back-to-back 30-point performances last week, aiding Notre Dame in victories over Virginia Tech and Louisville. Hidalgo’s remarkable achievement has only been matched by Jewell Loyd in the last 25 years at the school. She averaged an impressive 32 points and five assists while shooting 57.9% from the field. Additionally, Lucy Olsen from Iowa, Hailey Van Lith from TCU, and Riley Weiss from Columbia received honorable mentions for their notable performances.

Player to Watch

Hannah Hidalgo delivers back-to-back 30-point performances for Notre Dame.

Blakes sets NCAA freshman single-game scoring record with 53 points.

Mia Jacobs leads Fresno State with 29.5 points and 13 rebounds per game.

Fresno State forward Mia Jacobs is a player to keep an eye on after leading the Bulldogs to a successful 2-0 week. Jacobs displayed her skills by averaging 29.5 points and 13 rebounds in wins over Nevada and San Jose State. Notably, she achieved a career-high of 36 points against San Jose State, accompanied by 11 rebounds and four steals, showcasing her versatility and impact on the court.

For more updates and alerts on the AP Top 25 rankings throughout the season, interested individuals can sign up on the AP women’s college basketball page: AP Top 25 Women's College Basketball Poll and Women's College Basketball.