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Angel Reese wins highest individual honor of her WNBA career
Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Angel Reese wins highest individual honor of her WNBA career

By Mike J. Asti  |  Last updated Oct 1, 2026 3:25 PM ET
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Making the most of her first regular season with her new team, Angel Reese earned a major individual award on Thursday. 

Reese was named the WNBA's Defensive Player of the Year for the first time ahead of the Atlanta Dream's semifinal series against the New York Liberty, which is set to tip off on Sunday. She received 46 of the 74 votes to claim the honor. 

Angel Reese set several records en route to winning the DPOY 

This now marks the highest individual honor of Reese's still-young WNBA career. A three-time All-Star and member of the league's All-Rookie Team in 2024 with the Chicago Sky, Reese added the Defensive Player of the Year trophy to her mantel thanks to leading the league with an average of 12.1 rebounds per game. 

She also set multiple records along the way, pulling down the most total boards in a single season (521) and even the most offensive rebounds as well (206).

Reese even owns the single-game rebound record with 26 against the Los Angeles Sparks in August. Reese also registered averages of 16.4 points, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the field. 

Angel Reese has dominated and won at every level 

She's now led the league in rebounding in three straight years and just averaged 14.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in a two-game sweep of the Washington Mystics, including a double-double in the first game on Sept. 27. 

At only 24, Reese already has a basketball resume that will likely send her to the Hall of Fame. In addition to her WNBA success, she led her team to a championship in the "Unrivaled" league and was named the league's 2025 Defensive Player of the Year. And before turning pro, she led LSU to the 2023 national championship and was crowned the women's tournament's Most Outstanding Player. 

Mike J. Asti
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Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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