Angel Reese wins 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

sportsOct 1, 2026341,074

Angel Reese was named the 2026 Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year on October 1, 2026, becoming the first player in Atlanta Dream franchise history to win the award. The honor capped Reese’s debut season with the Dream and was announced one day after she helped Atlanta win its first playoff series in eight years. Voting gave Reese 46 of the 74 first-place votes, with Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams second with 20 first-place votes. The award recognition highlights Reese’s impact on defense and rebounding and positions the Dream as a stronger title contender as they move deeper into the postseason.

WNBA

@wnba.com

DEFENSIVE EXCELLENCE 🏆 Angel Reese is the 2026 KIA Defensive Player of the Year after a standout season with the Atlanta Dream, averaging 16.4 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.8 SPG! #KIADPOY | #WNBASeason30

3708d ago

Quoting this

kwisatz haderade (#FreeSkylar)75

the worst people in the world will be furious about this and i love that for them.

I Travel Like Sound Dog8

Breh imagine if she was on the Wings right now.

HERbron James 🐐7

BIG BARBIE! BIG MEBOUNDS! ATL HOE! #wnba

Them Dawgs Is Hell Don’t They?5

One of the best Atlanta sports trades since the Braves got Fred McGriff

Disgruntled Lesbian5

Look what happens when her talent is not stifled!

NujabWes5

dubs in the mf chat

Rob3

Barbie just needed her Dream House 🩷

christian orban3

Oh, sehr deutlich und Stokes ohne Stimmen ... Angel sei der Award aber absolut gegönnt - formidable defensive Saison mit Impact galore Und ganz die Teamplayerin auch hier: “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."

Krimson the Visible Ninja3

At this point, any Angel slander is just Hater Talk and should no longer be entertained

Dr. Lawren is Openly Ya Ya2

PERIOD. She is that girl.

TSN

@tsnofficial.bsky.social

ANGEL REESE TAKES HOME DPOY 🏆 Reese has been named the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, with her mom making the moment even more special by surprising her with the award 🥹❤️

1248d ago

Patti1

That face shows exactly who she really is So disgusted that the WNBA embraces players who are the worst bad sports, biggest bullies + happily display their thuggish bullying + violence w mocking others Such great examples for all young players. It's teaching them its acceptable to act like a thug

kevin

@musingsbykevin.bsky.social

My favorite WNBA player.…she is a baller! Angel Reese named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year www.nytimes.com/athletic/765...

1238d ago

lnkelley.bsky.social1

She deserves it. I love watching her play.

demoncopperhead1.bsky.social1

She is such an underrated shit talker. That's why I love the cc rivalry. They're both phenomenal and they are great at goating the other team into making mistakes.

Shameka ❤️🏀

@shameka23.bsky.social

Angel Reese is so worthy of this DPOY honor. I hope her haters continue to have a bad day after tonight’s game 😌🥰 #WNBA

788d ago

Missy1

I am so happy for her! She has worked her ass off, just so well deserved! Love it!

bearded-ginger.bsky.social1

Congrats to her she definitely earned it

Meghan L. Hall

@itsmeghanlhall.bsky.social

Angel Reese is the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year. She received 46 of the 74 votes. Gabby Williams received 20. Here’s the full voting breakdown:

588d ago

🦂 Scorpiono (10/24): Congrats to Angel Reese for winning DPOY! 💐1

Angel deserves everything! She has made so many sacrifices to fit into the Dream gameplan. She has worked hard to be where she is and gets this award! You can see it in her game!! So fucking proud of her! 🤩

Shalom 🙏1

My question is how the heck did gabby get 20 votes??? Did the voters watch her play defense???????

Quoting this

Jazz🤍14

Congrats to AR5 but wtf do you mean Rhyne got 1 vote?!?!?!? The steals leader???? Like current steals leader got one vote?!?!?!?!?!?!? #WNBA #TheW #WBB

strap-tap13

CONGRATULATIONS 😈 Unrivaled DPOY WNBA DPOY FIBA DPOY *soon*

Malice Walker7

VB got a DPOY vote! She’s making the all-defensive team, the only question now is whether she’ll be first team or second team.

Along Came Poly-4-The-W6

I WANT TO SEND FLOWERS 💐 TO THE BEAUTIFUL SOUL WHO SAID GOLDEN STATE VERONICA BURTON WITH THEIR CHEST & THEIR VOTE

trust me, i’m a therapist3

rhyne could’ve gotten a lil more love than that now lol

Marisa Ingemi

@mingemi.bsky.social

Angel Reese won the WNBA’s defensive player of the year award. Gabby Williams finished second and Veronica Burton got one vote, too.

488d ago

The IX Sports

@theixsports.bsky.social

Angel Reese is your Defensive Player of the Year for the 2026 WNBA season, with 46 first-place votes. She led the league in rebounds for the third straight season and has become the first WNBA player to record over 500 rebounds in a single season. #WNBA #WomensBasketball #AngelReese

278d ago

Merlisa

@merlisa.com

Winning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year is cool. Having your mom present you with the award is even better. Wholesome moment for Angel Reese. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvho...

248d ago

Allenk_81

@allenk81.bsky.social

Really happy for Angel Reese. That DPOY award is well-deserved. I just know her racist haters are punching the air.

238d ago

Kristen & John | Attack the Baseline Podcast

@atbpod.bsky.social

2026 Defensive Player of the Year voting results: Angel Reese - 46 Gabby Williams - 20 A'ja Wilson - 4 Shakira Austin - 2 Veronica Burton - 1 Rhyne Howard - 1 #WNBA

248d ago

Quoting this

Danielle H9

I love whoever voted for Veronica Burton

Didi is a trans immigrant 🏳️‍⚧️2

I say this with love and respect for Angel: Gabby was robbed

Jason Ounpraseuth2

kind of surprised how wide the voting margin was between Angel and Gabby.

strap-tap

@strap-tap.bsky.social

The WNBA's FIRST DPOY narrating your DPOY video 👌🏾 TURN ME TF UP ANGEL REESE!

158d ago

Bernie is a failure, and AOC is a poser!!!

@africanprincess7.bsky.social

Alright nah. Congrats to Angel Reese on being named the 2026 DPOY. #WNBA

238d ago

Schwarziest (fuck Trump edition)

@schwarziest.bsky.social

Congrats to Angel Reese on her first playoff series win! #WNBA

119d ago

Jenn Hatfield

@jennhatfield.bsky.social

Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin and guard Sonia Citron each got one vote for #WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese won the award with 46 of the 74 votes, and Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams was second with 20. @theixsports.bsky.social

128d ago

Her Hoop Stats

@herhoopstats.com

Yesterday's WNBA Leaders Sep 30 PTS: 45 - Arike Ogunbowale (DAL) REB: 16 - Kiki Iriafen (WAS) AST: 11 - Jordin Canada (ATL) STL: 4 - Allisha Gray (ATL), Gabby Williams (GSV) BLK: 3 - Angel Reese (ATL) 3PM: 5 - Arike Ogunbowale (DAL), Gabby Williams (GSV) Support us at herhoopstats.com

98d ago

3 sources

espn.comDream's Angel Reese named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year leverageonheroesmedia.comAngel Reese wins WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award after first season with br.app.linkAngel Reese Wins 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, Full Voting Results Announced

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Angel Reese wins 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

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