The WNBA announced Angel Reese as the winner of the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year award on Thursday. It's the first major award Reese has won in her three seasons in the league. In all three seasons, though, Reese has been the league's rebounding leader.
She averaged 12.1 rebounds per game this season, which was her first with the Atlanta Dream. She is the first Dream player to win Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Reese averaged 6.4 points, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals (third in league) per game.
Reese's season isn't over yet as the Dream swept the Washington Mystics in the first round on Wednesday night. Atlanta will face the New York Liberty in the semifinals starting on Sunday. This is Reese's first postseason appearance as the Chicago Sky failed to make the playoffs both of the seasons she was there.
The 24-year-old found out about winning the DPOY award in such a heartwarming way. Her mother, Angel Webb Reese, surprised her daughter with the trophy and a giant bouquet of flowers while the Dream gathered together after Wednesday's win. Reese instantly started crying when she saw her mother, knowing this meant she was named the best defensive player in the league this year.
"Well, thank you guys, I really appreciate it," Reese said while fighting back tears. "I'm so grateful for you guys. You guys always been there for me and pushed me every single day.
I'm just happy to be in Atlanta. I just want to finish this off the right way cause I think we deserve it, so thank you guys." What a special way to celebrate such a monumental time in Reese's life and career. Reese posted a hype video highlighting the best defensive moments of her 2026 season with the rapper Latto narrating the video.
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