Atlanta Honors Vanderbilt’s Stars in Women’s Basketball
On Wednesday, the Atlanta Tipoff Club revealed exciting news for Vanderbilt women’s basketball. Sophomore star Mikayla Blakes is now a finalist for the prestigious 2026 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy for Women’s College Player of the Year. Also in the spotlight is head coach Shea Ralph, who is a finalist for the 2026 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year.
Blakes joins a competitive list that includes Lauren Betts from UCLA and UConn’s Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong. Ralph is up against well-known coaches like Geno Auriemma from UConn and Cori Close from UCLA. Winners for both awards will be announced on April 1.
This year, fans get to weigh in, too! Starting March 25, fans can vote through the Naismith Awards Fan Vote. Each vote counts for 5% of the total decision, allowing fans to support their favorites.
Ralph has made an impressive impact in her fifth season at Vanderbilt. Under her leadership, the Commodores advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 17 years by defeating High Point (102-61) and Illinois (75-57). This marks a significant turnaround for the team, which hasn’t reached this level since the 2008-09 season.
This season, Ralph’s leadership has brought Vanderbilt to a commendable 29-4 record, including 13 wins in SEC play. They tied for second place in the conference, matching their best finish ever. For the first time since 2001-02, the Commodores are ranked in the top five of both the AP Top 25 and the USA Today/WBCA coaches’ poll. They’ve been a top-10 team for an impressive 11 consecutive weeks.
Blakes’ individual performance has been nothing short of spectacular. Averaging 27.0 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.9 steals per game, she leads NCAA Division I in scoring. With 13 games scoring over 30 points, she has set records this season, particularly in SEC play where she averages 30.5 points while shooting nearly 47% from the field and close to 40% from deep. Her standout game included a season-high of 38 points against Mississippi State.
Vanderbilt’s 29 wins this season are among the highest in the program’s history, and their 13 SEC victories set a new record. They’ve secured a No. 2 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, hosting March Madness games in their gym for the first time since 2011-12. Their upcoming match against No. 22/25 Notre Dame in Fort Worth, Texas, on Friday at 1:30 p.m. CT, is generating buzz among fans.
In a beyond-sports effort, Vanderbilt is also launching the “Anchored for Her” campaign. This initiative aims to celebrate the contributions of female athletes at the university, especially as next year marks the 50th anniversary of varsity women’s teams. With a goal of $50 million, the campaign seeks to enhance facilities, provide scholarships, and support coaching positions, aiming for long-term success in women’s sports.
Stay connected with the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team by following them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at @VandyWBB.
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