Angel Reese Makes Her Intent Clear About Winning Defensive Player of the Year

Superstar forward Angel Reese's defense has improved leaps and bounds in her third season in the WNBA.

Angel Reese Makes Her Intent Clear About Winning Defensive Player of the Year

Angel Reese is a leading DPOY candidate (Image via Mirror US Sports/X)

After the way her second season in the WNBA ended, there was no doubt that Angel Reese was going to enter her next campaign with a point to prove. She was painted as the ‘problem’ that the Chicago Sky did not want to deal with, and they traded her away in the offseason.

At the time, many believed that the LSU star was at fault for essentially creating cracks in a team that was supposed to build towards the future. Fast forward to now, and not only has that theory been debunked, but Reese has proven to be quite the teammate and player.

When many felt that moving to the Atlanta Dream would see a major drop in numbers, it has been quite the opposite, as the other All-Stars have had to take a back seat to the Maryland native’s sheer talent.

Her rebounding skills have already helped her notch some records to her name. Then came her time with Team USA, where suddenly, fans began to notice how impactful she is on defense.

Before the FIBA World Cup, the names in the Defensive Player of the Year mix were A’ja Wilson and Gabby Williams. But after the tournament, fans and analysts began analyzing her defensive impact.

When I said the Defensive Player of the Year is in Atlanta, I meant what I said.

Angel Reese said on NBA Today

There were times when the 24-year-old was labeled as being ‘selfish’ and having an ego. But with this answer, Reese proved that she wants to promote her fellow steals leading-teammates for also Defensive Player of the Year candidates. It also means that she is putting her name on the list so that people do not forget her.

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The Athletic labels Angel Reese as their DPOY candidate

Angel Reese has been putting together a late-season run that has seen her vault even in the MVP race. However, it is still a long shot for her to get enough votes to be a contender.

Where she will not have a problem finding votes is for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Many voters are still debating whether to hand her the trophy or to Golden State Valkyries star Gabby Williams. But The Athletic has already made it clear, even though the official voting process has yet to commence.

Angel Reese’s defensive stats this season:

– 12.1 RPG (1st in WNBA)
– 1.8 SPG (3rd in WNBA)
– First in defensive win shares
– Fourth in defensive rating

She’s earned The Athletic’s DPOY award 🏆

The Athletic revealed on X

This means that Reese will get their vote. If others follow the publication’s lead, there is a good chance that the rebounding phenom will need to create space in her house for a trophy cabinet, as this year’s DPOY award will be the first of them.

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Angel Reese and Atlanta Dream avoid Caitlin Clark clash in first round

There was a time before the FIBA World Cup break when there were concerns that Angel Reese‘s struggles could cost the Atlanta Dream. After the tournament, those doubts have vanished.

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark (Image via Mirror US Sports/X)

Her exceptional performances on both ends of the floor ensured that her team would finish fourth in the standings. Up until a day ago, that seeding meant she would face her longtime rival Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in the first round.

Overnight, that changed. The Minnesota Lynx blew the Indianapolis-based squad out of their building. That, along with the Washington Mystics’ win over the Chicago Sky, meant that the Fever would finish sixth.

Therefore, the Angel Reese-Caitlin Clark clash fans wanted will likely not happen this season unless both teams make it to the Finals. However, the Dream have their work cut out for them facing the Mystics, who many believe are the playoffs’ dark horses.

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