Each time Madalyn Weinert stepped onto the court this season, she gave it her all — and the crowd, as well as the nation, took notice.

The Brock Badgers women’s basketball standout was honoured this week with the Nan Copp Trophy, earning the title of 2026 U SPORTS Player of the Year.

Along with being recognized as the nation’s top women’s basketball player in university sport, the fifth-year Medical Sciences student was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian during an awards ceremony held Wednesday, March 4, in Laval, Que.

“Winning U SPORTS Player of the Year is surreal,” Weinert said. “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 support system I have behind me.”

The U SPORTS honour marks the latest milestone in the St. Catharines local’s remarkable five-year career, which saw her recognized with awards at all levels of university sport. A now three-time U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian, Weinert has also been named the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Player of the Year and an OUA First-Team All-Star for three consecutive seasons, among other accolades.

This past year, she dominated the stat sheet, leading the country in total points (530), points per game (24.1), field goals made (196), total rebounds (317) and rebounds per game (14.4).

But Weinert says her university sport career has been defined by more than awards and statistics.

It’s the people, she says, who have made her time with the University unforgettable.

“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.”

That sense of connection has also extended beyond the locker room and into the local community.

“The most rewarding part of being a student-athlete has been the opportunity to build a strong community within Brock and in greater Niagara region,” she said. “I feel so blessed when camp kids or Brock Functional Inclusive Training Centre (BFit) members come to watch games. Knowing that people want to cheer our program on and support us is one of the greatest feelings.”

Balancing athletics and academics has also been a defining part of her time at Brock. Earlier in January, Weinert was recognized as a U SPORTS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian — a testament to her excellence on and off the court.

“My advice would be to love what you do as it makes the tasks much easier,” she said. “Find the joy in school and sport and work really hard at both. Balance comes when you are finding joy in every moment and making the most out of time you have.”

As Weinert looks ahead to life after graduation, whether that includes further studies or opportunities to play overseas, she reflects on the lessons learned as a Brock student-athlete.

“My experiences at the University have helped me grow as a player but more importantly as a person,” she said. “I have strengthened my leadership skills, learned to work with different people and how to smile through the ups and downs. 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.”