Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese has been named the 2026 Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, securing the honor for the first time in her career and making franchise history as the first Atlanta player to receive the award. The WNBA announced the voting results on Thursday, following a standout regular season in which Reese anchored the Dream’s defense and helped propel the team to the postseason.
Reese received 46 votes from a national panel of 74 sportswriters and broadcasters, outpacing Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams, who finished second with 20 votes. Three-time recipient A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces placed third with four votes, while Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin took fourth with two votes. Veronica Burton of Golden State and Atlanta guard Rhyne Howard rounded out the voting with one vote each.
In her third WNBA season and her first with Atlanta following an offseason trade from the Chicago Sky, Reese established new career highs and dominated the glass. According to the WNBA official release, she ranked third in the league in both steals per game (1.8) and total steals (77), while leading the competition with 12.1 rebounds per contest. Her defensive presence helped the Dream limit opponents to a league-low 9.5 second-chance points per game.
Reese shattered multiple league records during the campaign, pulling down 521 total rebounds and 206 offensive rebounds to become the first player in WNBA history to exceed 500 rebounds in a single season. Her standout rebounding performance included a single-game record of 26 boards during an August victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. She also recorded a WNBA record of 32 double-doubles, averaging 16.4 points per game and earning her third consecutive All-Star selection.
Playoff Momentum and Next Steps
The individual accolade arrives just as Atlanta enjoys strong team success. As Bleacher Report noted, the Dream finished the regular season with a 30-14 record, tying the franchise win record and securing the No. 4 seed in the WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel. Atlanta swept the Washington Mystics in the first round to reach the semifinals for the first time since the league adopted its current playoff format in 2022.
With the regular-season award secured, Reese and the Dream turn their focus to the postseason. Atlanta is scheduled to host the New York Liberty in Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinals series on Sunday in Georgia, as the franchise pursues a WNBA championship title.
Follow-up Questions
How will Angel Reese’s defensive presence impact the Dream’s upcoming series against the New York Liberty?
Reese’s ability to control the boards and limit second-chance points will be critical against a Liberty squad that recently eliminated the No. 1 seed
What led to Reese’s breakout defensive recognition after missing out on All-Defensive teams in previous seasons?
A combination of career highs in steals, defensive win shares, and record-breaking rebounding numbers elevated her voting profile among sportswriters
What remains unclear: Whether this award signals a permanent shift in how defensive voters weigh rebounding volume against traditional perimeter defense
Perspectives
Atlanta Dream View vs WNBA Media Panel View
Story lens
Atlanta Dream View
The franchise views Reese’s acquisition and subsequent defensive leadership as the cornerstone of their successful 30-win season. Securing the Defensive Player of the Year honor validates their offseason roster moves and establishes a competitive standard for the playoff semifinals
WNBA Media Panel View
Voters weighed Reese’s historic rebounding volumes and defensive ratings against strong candidates like Gabby Williams and A’ja Wilson. Her league-leading defensive win shares and high steal totals ultimately convinced the national panel to award her 46 of 74 votes
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