Angel Reese Becomes First Dream Player to Win WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

Angel Reese was named the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday, becoming the first player in Atlanta Dream history to win the award.

Reese received 46 of 74 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Golden State’s Gabby Williams finished second with 20 votes, and Las Vegas center-forward A’ja Wilson received four. Shakira Austin, Veronica Burton, Sonia Citron and Atlanta teammate Rhyne Howard each received one.