Angel Reese exceeded expectations in her debut season with the Atlanta Dream, delivering outstanding performances that have now been officially recognized. On Thursday, the league announced that Reese earned the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award, securing 46 out of 74 votes.
Gabby Williams was the runner-up, receiving 20 votes, while A’ja Wilson, a three-time winner of the award, placed third with four votes.
Although Reese has long been known as one of the best rebounders in the league—leading in rebounds for all three of her seasons—this marks the first time she has garnered defensive accolades, including a WNBA All-Defensive team selection or Defensive Player of the Year votes, prior to this season.
This year, her rebounding dominance continued with an average of 12.1 rebounds per game, leading the WNBA once again. However, her defensive impact extended well beyond just rebounds. According to the league’s announcement, Reese topped the WNBA in Defensive Win Shares (3.39) and ranked fourth in defensive rating (100.0). Additionally, when she was on the court, Atlanta allowed 7.9 fewer points per 100 possessions, the highest defensive improvement among the Dream’s rotation players.
Reese’s achievement is especially historic as she becomes the first player in Atlanta Dream history to earn this prestigious award.
This story will be updated.
Fan Take: Angel Reese’s defensive recognition represents a significant milestone not only for her career but for the Atlanta Dream franchise, showcasing the rise of elite talent in the WNBA. This acknowledgment boosts the visibility of defensive prowess in the league, which is critical for growing fan appreciation of all aspects of the game beyond scoring.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
