Becoming a collegiate athlete is one thing. Making an all-star team is another. But, becoming arguably the greatest player in Canadian university basketball history is something of a legend.
By no means is Brock University a big school. With just over 19,000 students, the chances of producing star athletes are lower than at other schools. One local, however, embraced her opportunity as an OUA athlete, making history as one of the country’s best basketball players.
Madalyn Weinert was born in St. Catharines, and her eventual choice to play basketball at Brock seemed almost inevitable. From the jump, she was a standout player, earning OUA All-Rookie Team honours, followed by an All-Star selection for the remaining years of her career. During that period, she would also win an astonishing three straight OUA women’s basketball M.V.P’s (2024-26) as well as the U Sports M.V.P. trophy in 2026.
Now that her playing career is over at Brock, new opportunities are calling her name. The Brock Press spoke with Weinert for an interview, during which she discussed the time since her final game and her thought process.
“I’ve done a lot of reflecting over the past couple of weeks. It’s really hard to see this chapter come to a close because it’s meant so much to me the past five years. So, there’s definitely going to be a massive difference, but I’m super excited to see where that takes me.”
Since her first season, Weinert’s evolution as a player has been nothing shy of spectacular. Whether it was her effort in the weight room or during on-court workouts, almost nobody rivals her dedication and perseverance. She attributed her improvements to her commitment during long off-seasons and the endless hours she put in to perfecting her game.
“Looking at my play from my first year to my fifth, I think physicality was a big thing and making sure I was consistent in the gym. Also, being here in the summers and really working on that aspect of the university game because it’s definitely a step up from high school. I think also being more versatile in what I was able to do, improving my shooting from various points on the floor to not be a one-dimension player but to expand that to multi-dimensions.”
After all is said and done, it wasn’t just on the court where Weinert connected with the school. From fans, media and athletic staff, the three-time OUA M.V.P. commented on how much she enjoyed her time with the Brock community.
“That’s been one of my favourite parts of being here at Brock. I truly believe I found a second family. I have so many great relationships with the people in our department, the support staff, and the students who help out every day. I think that’s what made this experience so great, and just their value that adds to our program allows us to thrive year in and year out.”
When asked about her thoughts on being one of the most decorated collegiate athletes in Canadian history, it’s no surprise that she was humble in her response. The St. Catharines native made sure to credit her supporters throughout her journey, noting that she wouldn’t have gotten to this point without their help.
“It’s obviously very neat, I think it’s just such a reflection of what we’ve been able to grow here in the Brock women’s basketball program. It’s my name on the award, but it’s also such a reflection of the people around me. Every day for five years they’ve let me be me, which has been incredible and I’m so grateful for those opportunities to find myself, grow up in some ways and develop as a person.”
Weinert mentioned her Head Coach, Shae Dheensaw, as one of the biggest supporters throughout her career. Both women played a pivotal role in the rise in popularity of the women’s basketball program at Brock. While the two can sometimes disagree during games, the love for each other is evident in the deep respect they share. Weinert talked about her coach and how she was more than just a teacher on the floor.
“She has been a great role model, not only for myself but for the team as a strong female leader. She’s really challenged me in a lot of ways to think introspectively and to learn how to evaluate different situations, not only in the moment but after. She’s asked me some tough questions, and we’ve been able to have some great conversations throughout the past couple of years.”
All of this success wasn’t an accident, but Weinert didn’t chalk it down to one particular moment where she knew her destiny was calling. It took years of blood, sweat and tears to reach a certain point, and Weinert explained the process of getting to the top.
“In my first year, I was really lucky to have a really good team around me that helped put me on the All-Rookie team for the OUA that year. I think from there it was just being able to know that if I worked hard, the results would pay off.”
Weinert spoke to her favourite memories as a basketball player at Brock. Although winning games and making highlight plays are often the most talked-about memories among athletes, Weinert says she cherished the time that she spent travelling the country. It’s a testament to her character and how she values the time spent with her teammates during one of the most exciting periods of life.
“In my first year, I got to Nationals, which was such a wild experience. I’ve been to Halifax, Victoria, Vancouver and we got to see Quebec City this past week, so I think being able to travel with the team and see different parts of the country has been so much fun.”
After the final buzzer sounded and the 2025-26 season was over, it marked a new era in Weinert’s life. Every student-athlete must face the reality of graduating and stepping onto new ground. For Weinert, it was about taking the next leap.
“I have some applications into schools in Ontario, but I’m also speaking with agencies to play overseas next year. I’m also considering taking a potential opportunity to go do school as well as play overseas. There are some good things on the horizon and I’m super excited to see where I go from here.”
Madalyn Weinert has cemented herself as one of the most impactful athletes in Brock University history. She has not only dominated her field on the court but has also made exceptional strides off the court in developing the Brock women’s basketball program. Now, as a graduating student, she looks to extend her playing days into her mid-20s by taking the next step into the professional scene.