Reese wins WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award

BROOKLYN, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream looks on during the game against the New York Liberty on September 23, 2026 at Barclays Center Arena in Brooklyn, New York. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE

Catalina Fragoso / National Basketball Association / Getty

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese was named the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, the WNBA announced Thursday.

BUILT FOR THIS 🏆

Angel Reese’s presence was felt all season long.

Now, she’s the 2026 @Kia Defensive Player of the Year.#KIADPOY | #WNBASeason30 pic.twitter.com/3osmhLXZIo
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 1, 2026

Reese won the award for the first time after receiving 46 of 74 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. She is also the first Dream player to receive the honor.

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams and Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson finished second and third, respectively, in voting.

Reese ranked third in the WNBA in total steals (77) and steals per game (1.8) while leading the league in rebounds per game (12.1). She also became the first player to grab 500 rebounds in a season en route to setting single-season records for total rebounds (521) and offensive boards (206).

The Dream acquired the 24-year-old from the Chicago Sky in April.