I’m voting Angel Reese for Defensive Player of the Year, and here’s why
As a WNBA media member with an awards vote, every season, the award I struggle with most is Defensive Player of the Year (and the related All-Defense team). So many players across the WNBA defend at a high level, but each plays different roles and has different strengths and weaknesses. Some are elite team defenders […]
Angel Reese has earned a fitting nickname after claiming her first World Cup gold medal. The Atlanta Dream forward went to Berlin with the goal of winning her first senior international championship, and she emerged as the "Gold Angel." USA Basketball introduced the nickname after sharing a video of Reese lying on the court as gold confetti rained down during Team USA's championship celebration.
USA Basketball deemed "Snow Angel" an insufficient description, opting for "Gold Angel" to reflect both the significance of Reese's accomplishment and her personality. Reese's limited role in the championship game paid off, as she contributed three points, three rebounds, a steal, and a block. Her impact went beyond statistics, as she provided valuable rebounding, defensive activity, and physicality off the bench.
Reese's performance, including her sprinting to the floor and creating second-chance opportunities, earned her various nicknames throughout the World Cup, with "Gold Angel" being the most fitting. Although she did not win the Best Defensive Player award, her contributions were integral to the United States' undefeated run. With Atlanta currently 26-14 and in fourth place in the standings, Reese's return to the team is timely, as they aim to secure home-court advantage for the upcoming playoff rounds.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
