Angel Reese named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year after standout debut season with Atlanta Dream
Angel Reese earned the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award, receiving 46 of 74 votes, after leading the league in rebounds and posting record defensive metrics for the Atlanta Dream.
Angel Reese was voted the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday, securing 46 of the 74 votes cast by league officials. The Atlanta Dream forward topped the league with 12.3 rebounds per game, setting single-season records for total rebounds (521) and offensive rebounds (206), and recorded a 26-rebound game against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Reese also led the league in Defensive Win Shares (3.39) and ranked fourth in defensive rating (100.0). The Dream allowed 7.9 fewer points per 100 possessions when she was on the floor, the largest on/off differential among the team's regular rotation.
"Reese's impact was evident across every defensive measure," the league said in its announcement.
Gabby Williams finished second in the voting with 20 votes, while three-time winner A'ja Wilson placed third with four votes. Reese becomes the first player in Dream history to receive the award, and her defensive contributions helped the team post one of the league's top regular-season records as they head into the playoffs.