SANTIAGO (Chile) – Mikayla Blakes saved her best performance for when it counted the most, exploding for 27 points in the United States’ 92-84 win over Brazil in the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup gold medal game. The 19-year-old, who scored in double digits in six of her country’s seven games, led the way by shooting 11-for-24 in the Final, including 9-for-14 inside the arc and 3-for-4 at the free throw line. The Vanderbilt guard added 6 rebounds, 2 steals, an assist, and a block for a team-high 22 efficiency rating.
Blakes scored 14 of her points in the second quarter to keep Brazil at bay when it seemed like the team was pulling away. Then, her three-pointer with 8:51 left in the fourth quarter gave USA the lead it would never relinquish. She scored seven in the final stanza. For the tournament, Blakes averaged 14 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 43.9 percent from the field. Blakes was also selected to the tournament’s All Star 5 alongside teammate Hannah Hidalgo, Brazilians Kamilla Cardoso, Damiris Dantas, and Canada’s Syla Swords.
Gabriela Jaquez received the Rising Star award in her first AmeriCup representing Mexico. The 21-year-old averaged 12 points (8th best mark in the tournament), 6.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across seven games. The 6’0 forward had 15 points and 8 rebounds on Sunday to help Mexico get past the Dominican Republic and finish seventh. That was its best performance since the team finished 6th in 2011.
FIBA