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Angel Reese elevated into the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in her first season with the Atlanta Dream

What’s Angel Reese’s greatest achievement? Is it her latest one, winning 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year? Is it both making and then thriving with the gold medal-winning USA Basketball Women’s World Cup team? Is it breaking WNBA records…

By Cat Ariail · Swish Appeal

Published: Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 9:45 PM

Key Things to Know

Angel Reese won the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award with the Atlanta Dream.
Reese secured the honor by earning 46 of the 74 total votes cast.
Gabby Williams finished in second place with 20 votes, while A'ja Wilson placed third with four.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Angel Reese has been named the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in her first season with the Atlanta Dream. Reese received 46 of 74 total votes to win the award, finishing ahead of Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries, who placed second with 20 votes, and A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces in third.

Reese anchored Atlanta to a 103.5 defensive rating while averaging 1.8 steals and 12.1 rebounds per game during the season. Her campaign included setting a WNBA single-game record with 26 rebounds against the Los Angeles Sparks as the Dream advanced to the playoff semifinals.

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Angel Reese elevated into the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in her first season with the Atlanta Dream

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