Big 5 Women's Basketball
Philadelphia Big 5 Releases 2025-26 Women’s Awards
The Philadelphia Big 5 issued their awards for the 2025-26 season on Tuesday, April 28, with each of the league’s six head coaches voting for coach of the year, player of the year, rookie of the year and the all-Big 5 teams.
Villanova Women’s Basketball cleaned house in the yearly awards as the only team to make the NCAA Tournament; head coach Denise Dillon and freshman guard Kennedy Henry won their respective yearly honors, while Wildcats’ star point guard Jasmine Bascoe earned player of the year honors after averaging 18.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
This marks Dillon’s second year in a row winning coach of the year honors. Henry, for her part, set a Villanova program record for steals from a freshman, averaging 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists after starting for the Wildcats from day one. Saint Joseph’s junior guard Gabby Casey earned most improved player honors after doubling her scoring output from the previous season.
Temple guard Kaylah Turner (16.4 PPG), Drexel guard Amaris Baker (18.8 PPG), La Salle guard Ashleigh Connor (15.8 PPG) and Penn forward Kate Collins (13.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG) round out the All-Big 5 first team.
Villanova sent Henry to the All-Big 5 second team along with junior forward Brynn McCurry (10.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG) and senior forward and Philadelphia native Denae Carter (8.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG). Drexel guard Laine McGurk (12.8 PPG), Saint Joseph’s guard Aleah Snead (11.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and La Salle guard Aryss Macktoon (15.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG) also earned nominations.
