Angel Reese Earns 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Honors

The Women's National Basketball Association announced Angel Reese as the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday. The accolade marks the first major award of Reese’s three-year league career and makes her the inaugural Atlanta Dream player to receive the honor.

Newsweek

Reese led the league in rebounding for the third consecutive season, averaging 12.1 rebounds per game—her highest total in a single season at 521 rebounds, the first player ever to surpass 500 rebounds. Of those, 206 were offensive rebounds. She also posted averages of 6.4 points, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game (third in the league). In a standout contest, Reese recorded 26 rebounds, setting a new single-game league record.

Newsweek

The Dream swept the Washington Mystics in the first round, giving Reese her first postseason appearance after the Chicago Sky missed the playoffs during her tenure there. Atlanta will begin its semifinal series against the New York Liberty on Sunday.

Newsweek

Reese expressed gratitude to teammates, coaches and her family after learning of the award, noting that the support she receives “every single day” fuels her drive to finish the season strong. Her mother, Angel Webb Reese, presented the trophy and a bouquet of flowers to her on the court, prompting an emotional reaction.

Newsweek

• “Well, thank you guys, I really appreciate it,” — Angel Reese

Newsweek