Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese has officially etched her name into the history books. The star basketball player has been officially named the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, capturing the league’s highest individual defensive honor and becoming the very first player in Atlanta Dream franchise history to receive the prestigious award.
Reese secured the award by capturing 46 out of 74 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, finishing ahead of runner-up Gabby Williams and multi-time winner A’ja Wilson. Her stellar campaign was highlighted by dominant defensive metrics, including leading the league with 3.39 Defensive Win Shares and anchoring an elite 100.0 defensive rating. The Dream allowed significantly fewer points per 100 possessions when she was actively on the court, showcasing her unmatched impact on the defensive end. Furthermore, her historic season included shattering single-season rebounding records by becoming the first WNBA player to collect 500 rebounds in a single year, cementing her status as an absolute powerhouse.
True to her team-first leadership, Reese made sure to shine a light on her colleagues after taking home the hardware. She playfully shouted out teammates Jordin Canada and Rhyne Howard, stating that they deserve to sign the trophy because they contributed just as much to the team’s collective defensive success. With the postseason underway and the Dream advancing deeper into the playoffs following a sweep of the Washington Mystics, Reese’s historic defensive milestone proves she is only just getting started.
