Angel Reese is the perfect example that confidence can take you a long way. Earlier this season, the Bayou Barbie had shown her belief in her defensive skills following the Dream’s win against the Phoenix Mercury in August.
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“I think the Defensive Player of the Year is in Atlanta,” Reese had proclaimed. Now, even the league has recognized those skills.
The Atlanta Dream forward has officially won the Defensive Player of the Year award, as announced by the WNBA on Thursday on X. Reese’s introduction already marked a new era at the Dream, and now she has taken it up a notch, becoming the first player in the franchise’s history to achieve the league’s highest individual defensive honor.
Following her prediction in August, Reese had doubled down on it earlier this month while appearing on WNBA on ESPN.
“We have three players that are in the top of the steals (Rhyne Howard), me, and Jordin Canada. And that has never been done in WNBA history. So, when I said the defensive player of the year is in Atlanta, I meant what I said.”
However, even in such a moment, the 2026 Kia Defensive Player of the Year winner did not forget to involve her teammates Jordin Canada and Rhyne Howard, whom she believes are just as much winners for the award as she is.
“I have the trophy, but I definitely want Jordin and Rhyne to sign it because I think they deserve it just as much as I do.”
“I’m grateful for Atlanta, I’m grateful for my teammates and my coaches and all the supporting staff that supports us. This is just the beginning.”
Angel Reese was truly among the most proficient defensive players in the league this season, as she anchored the Dream with her elite and relentless rebounding.
In the regular season, the forward ranked first in the WNBA in Defensive Win Shares with 3.39 and fourth in defensive rating with 100.0. With Reese on the floor, the Dream allowed 7.9 fewer points per 100 possessions, the largest defensive on/off differential among their rotation players.
Overall, Reese recorded a career-high season, averaging 16.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. Rebounds are something Reese truly shines at, and they were another of her highlights this season.
The 24-year-old led the WNBA in rebounds and offensive rebounds per game with 4.8. Moreover, Reese became the first player in WNBA history to record 500 rebounds in a single season, now at 521.
As for steals, Reese ranked third in the league with 1.8 per game, only behind teammates Jordin Canada (1.9) and Rhyne Howard (2.3). This is also one of the reasons why Reese gave credit to both, as the trio’s teamwork has made the Dream’s defense a hard nut to crack.
Angel Reese has found only success following her move from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream this season, and the DPOY is proof of all her efforts. The 6’4″ forward also initially credited Dream head coach Karl Smesko for helping her improve her rebounding and shooting abilities.
“He’s very intentional with my development, even with my rebounding. I thought I was a great rebounder before, and (he’s) very intentional about how I can be … better.” Reese said about Smesko back in June.
Reese was the DPOY winner by a landslide, receiving 46 of the 74 votes, according to USA Today’s Meghan L. Hall. She was followed by Golden State Valkyries’ Gabby Williams with 20 votes. A’ja Wilson, who won three of the last four seasons’ DPOY, ranked third with four votes.
With this monumental achievement, Angel Reese will be even more motivated to win it all with the Atlanta Dream, who are now in the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.