The WNBA confirmed defense wins games, as six league finalists received 2026 All-Defensive Team honors on Thursday.
Golden State’s Gabby Williams and Atlanta’s Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard headline the First Team, followed by Las Vegas’s 2026 MVP A’ja Wilson and Washington’s Shakira Austin.
The Dream’s Jordin Canada joins the Valkyries’ Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton on the Second Team, alongside the New York’s Breanna Stewart and the Mystics’ Sonia Citron.
Adding to her breakout season in Atlanta, Reese stands out as one of just two current or former Defensive Player of the Year winners across both lineups — alongside three-time DPOY Wilson.
This week’s announcement marks Reese’s All-Defense First Team debut, with Howard and Austin also picking up first-time nods.
“Every game I’m treating it like it’s win or go home, and making sure I put my body out there every single night and give it my all, every little detail,” said the 24-year-old.
