Madalyn Weinert has reached the pinnacle of Canadian university basketball after being named the U SPORTS Player of the Year.

Weinert earned the Nan Copp Trophy as the nation's top player and was recognized as a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian on Wednesday, March 4 at the All-Canadian Gala in Québec City, host of the 2026 U SPORTS Women's Basketball Final 8.

"Winning U SPORTS Player of the Year is surreal," said Weinert. "I feel so privileged to represent Brock and our program on the national stage. This award is also a complete representation of the team and the support system I have behind me."

Ending her collegiate career as one of the greatest athletes in Brock's history, the St. Catharines native has collected a handful of other accolades during her time with the Badgers, including being named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Player of the Year and OUA First-Team All-Star for three consecutive seasons. Additionally, she was selected as an OUA Second-Team All-Star in 2022-23 and to the OUA All-Rookie Team in 2022-23. 

The Medical Sciences student showcased her abilities as one of the top all-around threats in the country, recording 20 double-doubles in 22 regular season games, including 17 straight to end the season. She also led the country in total points (530), points per game (24.1) and field goals made (196) for the third consecutive season.

"The team and teammates have made my experience at Brock," she said. "These are the girls who I spend more time with than my own family, and I am so grateful for all the experiences we have had and memories we have created. This award does not happen without them and I am so thankful that they have been on this journey with me."

Weinert, a fifth-year guard/forward, also showcased her strong presence in the interior, leading the country in total rebounds (317) and rebounds per game (14.4), while providing a strong defensive presence as she placed fifth in total blocks (43). Effective from the charity stripe, Weinert finished second in U SPORTS for total free throws made (118) and fifth in free throw percentage (86.8 per cent). 

This past season, Weinert continued to break previous personal records, recording career highs in both points and rebounds. She scored 37 points en route to a 76-63 OUA first-round playoff win over the McMaster Marauders on Feb. 18 and collected a career-high 25 rebounds came in a 79-62 victory over the York Lions on Jan. 28. 

Weinert helped lead Brock to their seventh consecutive OUA quarterfinal appearance while finishing her career as the program's all-time leader in total points (2,269), rebounds (1,223), field goals made (833), free throws made (514), total blocks (196), among others. 

"My experiences at Brock have helped me grow as a player but more importantly as a person," she said. "I know that these past five years have given me skills and taught me various lessons that will serve me well after my time here."

2026 U SPORTS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL AWARD WINNERS & ALL-CANADIANS 
Nan Copp Award (Player of the Year): Madalyn Weinert, Brock 
Kathy Shields Award (Rookie of the Year): Sydney Cowan, Western 
Defensive Player of the year: Amélie Collin, Calgary 
Sylvia Sweeney Award (Student-Athlete Community Service): Emilia Diaz-Ruiz, McGill 
Tracy MacLeod Award (Courage Overcoming Adversity): Bella Gaudet, Queen`s 
Peter Ennis Award (Fox 40 Coach of the Year): Lisa Thomaidis, Saskatchewan 

First Team All-Canadians 

Second Team All-Canadians 

All-Rookie Team