Angel Reese has officially been named the 2026 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year.
The Atlanta Dream forward put together one of the most dominant defensive seasons of her young WNBA career, earning the AP honor after making her presence felt on the glass and across the defensive end.
Reese finished the regular season first in the WNBA in rebounding at 12.1 RPG and third in steals at 1.8 SPG. She also finished first in defensive win shares and fourth in defensive rating.
The AP honor adds another major accomplishment to a historic 2026 campaign for Reese.
🏆 ANGEL REESE — 2026 AP DPOY
- 🥇 AP Defensive Player of the Year
- 🥇 12.1 RPG — 1st in WNBA
- 🥉 1.8 SPG — 3rd in WNBA
- 🥇 Defensive Win Shares — 1st
- Defensive Rating — 4th
Reese also became the first player in WNBA history to record 500 rebounds in a single season, while setting the league’s single-season records for total rebounds and offensive rebounds. She finished with a WNBA-record 32 double-doubles and grabbed a league-record 26 rebounds in one game. (Atlanta Dream)
This is the first AP Defensive Player of the Year award in Atlanta Dream history.
Via @TheAthletic | @lifewithkeerose
