Follow us on Google Discover Angel Reese has had a stellar WNBA season with the Atlanta Dream and is going into the playoffs as one of the leading contenders for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
She averaged 16.4 points this season, but her defensive stats are what have stood out this campaign. The ‘Bayou Barbie’ has also recorded 12.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 0.74 blocks per game. Advanced stats show that Reese is first in defensive win shares and fourth in defensive rating.
The Athletic has named Reese their DPOY after her statistically dominant season. However, the WNBA awards are yet to be announced, but the votes have officially been handed over by sportswriters and broadcasters.
One of the journalists shared what their awards ballot looked like, and after he revealed how he landed on Angel Reese as his choice for DPOY, huge criticism followed.
Fans criticise journalist for DPOY award reasoning
The WNBA awards are given based on performances in the league and not any other competition.
However, the journalist who shared his votes revealed that Reese’s FIBA performances did affect his vote for the DPOY award.
Submitted my WNBA awards ballot.
Here it is.
Be nice.
MVP – A’ja Wilson
DPOY – Angel Reese
MIP – Dominique Malonga
ROY – Olivia Miles
SIXTH – Janelle Salaun
Sportsmanship Award – Alysha Clark
COY – Natalie Nakase pic.twitter.com/Gf4lICo6mH
— Percy Allen (@PercyAllen206) September 25, 2026
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“PR team? It was her performance in FIBA WC title game that secured it,” replied the journalist to a fan who questioned Reese’s DPOY status.
Now Reese was brilliant for Team USA during the FIBA World Cup. She was guarding the opposition team’s best player and did really well to anchor the defence alongside Gabby Williams, who won the DPOY at the World Cup. But the idea that the journalist used non-WNBA games to vote for the award did not sit well with fans.
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One fan said, “I have Angel as my DPOY but not because of what happened at Fiba. Those games have nothing to do with what happens in the WNBA season.”
“Ummm.. Should a World Cup tournament be thought of in voting. Does that mean playing in Unrivalled or in Europe can be included?” another added.
Someone also criticised the journalist by saying, “Did you also consider the NCAA tournament for Miles?(See how silly that sounds?)”
While another opined, “Percy, why would you bring the FIBA into W awards season??? So by that logic, Stewie defiantly should be MVP and Jackie 1st team!”
An AR fan simply stated, “Angel Reese stats in the WNBA speaks for itself.”
The debate around Reese’s DPOY status will continue until the award winner is announced. However, she will be hoping to continue performing well in the playoffs and lead the Dream into a deep postseason run.
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