Angel Reese surprised with 2026 Kia DPOY award

Her mother handled the presentation as postseason play looms.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

From one Angel to another 😇 Angel Reese’s mom does the honors of surprising her with the 2026 @Kia Defensive Player of Via @WNBA on X

What happened: Reese received the 2026 Kia Defensive Player of the Year Award in a surprise presentation from her mother. The moment followed her official selection as the league's top defender for 2026.

Why it matters: The honor caps a season that elevated Reese from postseason centerpiece to full awards contender. It also adds league hardware to Angel Reese just as Atlanta heads into its playoff stretch.

By the numbers: Reese averaged 16.4 points and 12.1 rebounds this season, and she was also named Winsidr Co-Defensive Player of the Year on Sept. 29.

What to watch: The next question is how quickly the celebration turns into postseason production. Reese's next game will show whether the award momentum carries into Atlanta's first-round series.

Sources

@WNBA 2026-10-01T18:09:18.761813+00:00

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