Angel Reese’s Unrivaled season with the Rose had two clear highlights: the championship and Reese’s Defensive Player of the Year award. In a league that featured some of the brightest stars in women’s basketball, Reese was selected as the best defensive player. Now, she should try to carry that momentum into her second WNBA season with the Chicago Sky.
While the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award may not be within reach for Reese—Napheesa Collier, A’ja Wilson, and Ezi Magbegor will likely be the top contenders for that award—she should have her eyes set on an All-Defensive Team.
In college, Reese made several All-Defensive teams, and it is time to establish herself as a truly strong two-way player in the WNBA as well. Having her defense recognized in Unrivaled should help her. Not only will she now be on people’s radars when it comes to defense, but knowing that she can be a great defender among other professionals, mostly veterans, should also boost her confidence. Moreover, the Sky should be a better defensive team than they were last season with some of the additions they made over the offseason.
All the best bigs are good two-way players
The WNBA is filled with great centers and forwards. All the best of them are great two-way players.
A’ja Wilson, arguably the best player in the WNBA right now, is a multi-time MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. Napheesa Collier won the DPOY award last season while trailing Wilson in voting for MVP. Jonquel Jones was the 2021 MVP and made four All-Defensive teams over her career. Likewise, Brittney Griner was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015 and then led the league in scoring in 2017 and 2019.
If Angel Reese wants to become one of the best bigs in the WNBA, she needs to establish herself as a true two-way presence. She has already made waves with her rebound and evidently worked on becoming a more efficient scorer.
Being an All-Star and an All-Defensive Team member in the 2025 season would be massive for Reese and only underline her rise to stardom.
Making an All-Defensive Team won’t be easy
As mentioned, most of the best bigs in the league are great defenders. Thus, it won’t be easy for Reese to break into the established circle of proven defenders.
Last season, the All-Defensive First Team featured Napheesa Collier, A’ja Wilson, Ezi Magbegor, DiJonai Carrington, and Breanna Stewart. The second team consisted of Alyssa Thomas, Alanna Smith, Nneka Ogwumike, Jonquel Jones, and Natasha Cloud. Cloud and Carrington are the only guards on that list.
With that many great post defenders in the league, Reese will have to work extra hard to stand out. Nevertheless, making an All-Defensive Team is not impossible, and Reese should certainly have her eyes set on the honor.