Atlanta Dream center Angel Reese has won the WNBA's Defensive Player of the Year award, the league announced Thursday, making her the first player in franchise history to win the award. Reese received 46 of the 74 votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, while Golden State's Gabby Williams received 20, Las Vegas' A'ja Wilson got four, and others received votes.
"I told my coaches earlier in the season I am going to be the Defensive Player of the Year," Reese told ESPN. "I don't know if it's going to be this year, I don't know if it's going to be next year, but I'm challenging myself, and I want you guys to challenge me every day to be that. And here it is."
In her first season with the Dream -- and third in the league -- Reese set multiple WNBA records, including the most rebounds in a single season (500) and the most rebounds in a single game (26 against the Los Angeles Sparks). She also set the WNBA single-season record with 32 double-doubles, averaging a league-best 12.3 rebounds per game. The Dream limited opponents to 7.9 points per 100 possessions fewer when Reese was on the floor.
"She can guard any position," Dream head coach Karl Smesko said. "She's not afraid of any challenge." Reese is third in the WNBA in steals per game (1.8). After sweeping the Washington Mystics in the first round, Atlanta will face the New York Liberty in the semifinals.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing