News Summary
University of Pennsylvania sophomore forward Katie Collins has been named the Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Week following her standout performance at the FDU Christmas Classic. Collins played a crucial role in leading the Quakers to victory while earning MVP honors. She posted impressive statistics throughout the tournament and continued her strong play in subsequent games, contributing significantly to her team’s success. This award highlights Collins’ impact as a key player on the women’s basketball team.
Philadelphia
Penn Sophomore Katie Collins Named Big 5 Player of the Week
Philadelphia, PA – University of Pennsylvania women’s basketball sophomore forward, Katie Collins, has been recognized as the latest Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Week. The announcement came on January 5, 2026, highlighting Collins’ exceptional performance over the past week.
Outstanding Performance at FDU Christmas Classic
Collins was instrumental in leading the Quakers to victory at the recent FDU Christmas Classic, where she earned MVP honors. Her stellar play helped the University of Pennsylvania secure the tournament title by defeating both UMES and Binghamton.
Key Statistics from Tournament Play
Across the two tournament games, Collins amassed an impressive 39 points, 18 rebounds, and nine blocks. Her dominant presence was particularly evident against UMES, where she recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. She followed this up with another strong outing against Binghamton, contributing 21 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. Collins’ consistent high-level play extended beyond the tournament, as she also posted 15 points and six rebounds in a subsequent game against Princeton. Over this three-game stretch, she averaged 18.0 points and 8.0 rebounds. The Quakers currently hold a commendable 10-4 record.
A History of Accolades for Collins and Penn Athletics
This latest recognition as Big 5 Player of the Week adds to Collins’ growing list of achievements. As a first-year athlete, she was previously named Ivy League Rookie of the Week five times, underscoring her immediate impact on the team and the league. The Big 5, a storied tradition in Philadelphia college basketball, acknowledges outstanding weekly performances from athletes across its member institutions.
The University of Pennsylvania Athletics program has seen several of its athletes earn weekly honors recently. Notably, men’s basketball guard Michael Zanoni was also named Big 5 Player of the Week. This reflects a period of strong performance across various sports programs at the university. Historically, Penn athletes have frequently been recognized by the Big 5 and other athletic clubs. For instance, in earlier seasons, men’s basketball players Mardy Collins and Antywane Robinson received All-Philadelphia Big 5 honors, and Tim Begley was a key sharpshooter for the Quakers.
The Big 5 encompasses five Division I college basketball programs in the Philadelphia area, fostering a rich tradition of rivalry and athletic excellence. Its weekly awards serve to highlight individual achievements within this competitive landscape. Penn’s women’s basketball team continues its conference play, with an upcoming game scheduled for Sunday, January 10, against Brown.
FAQs about Collins Named Big 5 Player of the Week
- Who was named the Big 5 Player of the Week?
- University of Pennsylvania women’s basketball sophomore forward, Katie Collins, was named the Big 5 Player of the Week.
- When was Katie Collins named Big 5 Player of the Week?
- Katie Collins was named Big 5 Player of the Week on January 5, 2026.
- Which sport does Katie Collins play?
- Katie Collins plays women’s basketball.
- What were Katie Collins’ key achievements leading to this award?
- Katie Collins earned MVP honors at the FDU Christmas Classic, helping the Quakers win the tournament title by defeating UMES and Binghamton. She totaled 39 points, 18 rebounds, and nine blocks across the two tournament games, including a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds against UMES. She also contributed 21 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks against Binghamton, and 15 points and six rebounds against Princeton.
- What was Katie Collins’ average performance over the recent three-game span?
- Over a three-game span, Katie Collins averaged 18.0 points and 8.0 rebounds.
- What is the University of Pennsylvania women’s basketball team’s current record?
- The University of Pennsylvania women’s basketball team currently holds a 10-4 record.
Key Features of Katie Collins’ Big 5 Player of the Week Award
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Recipient | Katie Collins |
| University | University of Pennsylvania |
| Class | Sophomore |
| Sport | Women’s Basketball (Forward) |
| Award | Big 5 Player of the Week |
| Date Announced | January 5, 2026 |
| Tournament MVP | FDU Christmas Classic |
| Tournament Performance (2 games) | 39 points, 18 rebounds, 9 blocks |
| Vs. UMES Performance | 18 points, 11 rebounds (double-double) |
| Vs. Binghamton Performance | 21 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks |
| Vs. Princeton Performance | 15 points, 6 rebounds |
| Average (3-game span) | 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds |
| Team Record | 10-4 |