Dream’s Angel Reese quietly keeps building a Defensive Player of the Year case originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
There isn’t much that Angel Reese does quietly.
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But slowly, steadily, the Atlanta Dream star is building toward a first in franchise history.
On Monday night, Reese recorded her 22nd double-double of the 2026 season, breaking a franchise record just 31 games into her Atlanta career. Her 20-point, 14-rebound display powered the Dream (20-12) to a straightforward 107-95 win over the Toronto Tempo.
And in doing so, Reese continued to construct a Defensive Player of the Year-worthy campaign.
MORE: Angel Reese closes in on major WNBA record after historic Dream performance
If Reese were actually to win the award — and if it isn’t this year, it will be at some point in her career — she would become the first Dream player ever to be named DPOY.
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The body of work to date is impressive.
Reese is first in the WNBA with 11.9 rebounds per game and is on course to win her third rebounding title in as many professional seasons. She is No.1 in the league in total rebounding percentage, second in total rebounds and tied for sixth in defensive rebounds.
On the offensive glass, Reese remains unparalleled: her 158 offensive rebounds are 43 more than Natasha Howard has accrued in second place. It’s no surprise that she leads the WNBA in offensive rebounding percentage.
Reese is one of three Dream players to rank in the top six in total steals, and her 103.0 defensive rating is seventh in the league.
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She may come up short this year, seeing her competition includes players like A’ja Wilson and Shakira Austin. But Reese is enhancing her reputation not only as the WNBA’s premier rebounder, but as an elite overall defender in his first season with the East-best Dream.
