Angel Reese named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year after standout first season with Dream

Angel Reese has emerged as a dominant defensive presence in the WNBA, culminating in her being honored with the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year award. This achievement marks a significant first for both Reese and the Atlanta Dream, as no player from the franchise had previously received this distinction.

Reese’s journey to this accolade has been marked by consistent rebounding excellence and defensive prowess since her rookie campaign. Selected seventh overall in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky, she immediately made an impact by setting a new single-season rebounding record and earning a spot as a league All-Star. Her second season saw her maintain her status as a leading rebounder and again secure All-Star recognition.

Despite these individual successes, Reese faced challenges with her initial team. The Sky missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons, leading Reese to voice concerns about the franchise’s direction. During the offseason, a trade sent her to the Atlanta Dream, a team that had demonstrated strong form with the third-best WNBA record in 2025.

In Atlanta, Reese’s game reached new heights. She posted career-best scoring averages, becoming a key two-way contributor for the Dream. Her defensive statistics were particularly impressive: she ranked highly in steals and led the league in total rebounds per game. Reese shattered numerous rebounding records, including being the first player to exceed 500 rebounds in a single season, finishing with 521. She also set WNBA records for offensive rebounds in a season and the most rebounds in a single game.

Her defensive impact was a cornerstone of the Dream’s success, as the team posted the league’s third-best defensive rating and allowed the fewest second-chance points all season. The Dream’s 30-14 regular-season record secured them the No. 4 seed in the playoffs. They advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2018 after sweeping the fifth-seeded Washington Mystics in the opening round.

Reese’s individual honors reflect her influence across the league. She earned 46 of 74 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, outpacing notable competitors such as Gabby Williams and A’ja Wilson. This recognition was accompanied by Reese garnering multiple Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards and yet another All-Star berth.

The award ceremony was a poignant moment for Reese, who was visibly moved when her mother presented the honor. The emotional scene underscored her gratitude toward teammates and the supportive environment she found in Atlanta, where she has expressed a strong commitment to helping the Dream achieve greater team success.

Looking ahead, the Dream are poised to leverage their solid defense and Reese’s leadership as they prepare for a best-of-five semifinal series against the New York Liberty, beginning October 4. With home-court advantage secured, the franchise and Reese are seeking to build on this breakthrough season.

Angel Reese’s rise to Defensive Player of the Year highlights a narrative of growth, resilience, and impact within the league. Her transition from a promising rookie to a record-setting defensive anchor illustrates her evolution and the pivotal role she now plays for one of the WNBA’s competitive teams.