Angel Reese took home the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award in her first season with the Atlanta Dream, and she made it crystal clear that winning it wasn’t even possible during her time with the Chicago Sky. That’s a pretty wild thing to say right after grabbing major individual hardware, but Reese didn’t hold back, giving props to her new squad for letting her truly shine.
Opportunity Knocked, And Reese Answered
The Chicago Sky traded Reese to Atlanta last offseason, and talk about a move paying off for one side! Reese flat-out told reporters she knew the player she was coming into the league as, but admitted she “didn’t have the opportunity to do that in the past two years.” Ouch. She went on to explain that coming to Atlanta, she knew what was expected of her and that she’d “be put on a pedestal of being able to play with great players.” Sounds like a pretty different vibe than her old locker room, huh? She’s “genuinely grateful” for the “sisters in the locker room” in Atlanta. It’s clear the change of scenery made all the difference, letting her tap into that potential she knew she had all along.
Best Season Ever, And The Postseason Is Just Getting Started
This season wasn’t just about DPOY for Reese, either. She put up career-best numbers across the board: 16.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. That’s her best defensive season, hands down, and her best season overall. What’s even crazier is that this is her first time making it to the postseason, and she’s already making noise. In Game 1 of the semifinals, she balled out with 17 points, seven boards, four steals, and three blocks, leading the Dream to a 92-82 win over the New York Liberty. Talk about making an entrance!
Winning DPOY is huge, but Reese isn’t stopping there. She’s got her sights set on adding a championship to that trophy case. With the Dream already up one game in the semifinals, you gotta wonder if this is just the beginning for her and Atlanta as they push for the ultimate prize.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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