The WNBA announced Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese as the winner of the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year award on Thursday, marking the first major individual accolade of her three-year career. Reese, who led the league in rebounding for the third consecutive season with an average of 12.1 rebounds per game, received 46 of 74 votes from the media panel, surpassing Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (20 votes) and Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (4 votes).
Reese’s award comes during her first season with the Atlanta Dream, who swept the Washington Mystics in the first round of the playoffs on Wednesday. The Dream will face the New York Liberty in the semifinals starting Sunday. This is Reese’s first postseason appearance after the Chicago Sky failed to qualify for the playoffs in either of her two seasons with the team.
The 24-year-old’s emotional reaction to the news was captured when her mother, Angel Webb Reese, presented her with the trophy and a bouquet of flowers following Atlanta’s win. Reese, visibly moved, expressed gratitude to her team and family, stating, "I’m so grateful for you guys. You guys always been there for me and pushed me every single day."
Reese’s Defensive Impact
Reese averaged 1.8 steals per game this season, placing her third in the league. She also contributed 2.8 assists and 6.4 points per game, rounding out a well-rounded statistical profile. Her defensive prowess has been a focal point of her career, though the award’s outcome has sparked debate among analysts and fans.
The Dream finished the regular season with a 30-14 record, ranking third in defensive rating (103.5 points allowed per 100 possessions). Notably, Atlanta’s defensive rating was slightly worse than the previous season (98.9 points per 100 possessions in 2025), when the team also finished 30-14. The Dream’s defense was already among the league’s best before Reese’s arrival, raising questions about the direct correlation between her individual performance and team defensive improvements.
Postseason Context
Atlanta’s first-round sweep of Washington sets up a semifinal matchup with the Liberty, who finished the regular season with the league’s best record. Reese and the Dream will aim to extend their season while building on her newly won accolade. The Dream’s path to a championship will test Reese’s ability to translate her regular-season success into postseason performance.
Reese’s award video, narrated by rapper Latto, highlighted her standout defensive moments from the season, further cementing her reputation as a disruptive force on the court.