Sept. 28, 2026, 8:28 a.m. CT
The AP named Angel Reese the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year on Sunday. The former LSU women’s basketball star dethroned A’ja Wilson to take home the annual honor for the first time. Wilson won the award in three of the last four seasons.
Reese finished the regular season as the league’s leader in rebounds for the third straight season. She ranked third in total steals. The six-foot-four forward finished with 521 total rebounds, including 315 on defense, and 77 total steals. Reese averaged a 1.8 steals and a league-best 12.1 rebounds per game.
Reese set numerous WNBA records in her first season with the Atlanta Dream. She became the first player in league history to eclipse 500 rebounds in a single season in addition to setting single-season league records in double-doubles. Reese defends every position and has a knack for corralling boards on both ends of the court.
In her inaugural season with the Atlanta Dream, Reese hopes to get the franchise its first playoff win since 2018. It would also be the first postseason win of her professional career. She didn’t make the playoffs in either of her first two years with the Chicago Sky, which drafted her at No. 7 overall in 2024.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!