Angel Reese’s stock continues to rise across women’s basketball. The Chicago Sky forward made a name for herself in her rookie season in the WNBA by displaying her skills and tenacity. She has continued to do so in Miami as well while playing for Rose BC in Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 basketball league.
However, fans aren’t pleased after she claimed the league’s Defensive Player of the Year honors in the inaugural season.
Fans Express Confusion as Angel Reese Picks Up DPOY Accolade at Unrivaled
On Saturday, March 15, Unrivaled announced its end-of-season honors, and Rose BC’s Reese won DPOY. The league posted a picture of her with the announcement on X: “Unrivaled’s Defensive Player of the Year: The Angel Reese.”
Unrivaled's Defensive Player of the Year: The Angel Reese ✨👑 pic.twitter.com/quLBBkYZgx
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) March 15, 2025
This set off fans again, who remained puzzled since Reese was not included in the all-league first team but won the DPOY award. Several argued that Lunar Owls BC’s Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx forward) deserved it instead.
“Probably the most overrated defender in basketball rn,” replied one fan.
“The defensive player of the year isn’t in all Unrivaled’s first team?” added a fan.
the defensive player of the year isn’t in all unrivaled’s first team?
— vibes enthusiast (@uptuchels_) March 15, 2025
“Serious question – how do you win dpoy without even averaging 1 steal or 1 block a game? Sev other players had better defense metrics. Make it make sense? Should be Phee,” responded a fan.
Serious question – how do you win dpoy without even averaging 1 steal or 1 block a game? Sev other players had better defense metrics. Make it make sense? Should be Phee
— Jerusha S (@JerushaS139440) March 15, 2025
“That’s awesome throw up the ball twenty times and miss twenty times. Get 20 rebs,” another fan added.
“4 team 3v3 league, i’m not moved she didn’t even make 1st & the league has like 15 total players,” tweeted another fan.
4 team 3v3 league, i’m not moved she didn’t even make 1st & the league has like 15 total players. 😭😭😭
— Houstonlyl (@Houstonlyl) March 15, 2025
Rose is currently 8-6 in the Unrivaled league standings, occupying the No. 2 spot behind the Lunar Owls. Reese has played in all 14 games; the Chicago star has averaged 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks per game.
LSU’s Mikaylah Williams Applauds Reese and Caitlin Clark
LSU sophomore forward Mikaylah Williams is in contention for one of the top prospects for the 2027 WNBA Draft. In a recent interview she highlighted the impact that Reese and Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark have made on women’s basketball.
“Angel and Caitlin are growing the women’s game like no other, and I’m glad to be able to follow in their footsteps,” Williams said. “I talk to Angel often, and she reached out after our game against Alabama, telling me to keep my head up and focus on what’s coming next.”
Reese and Williams were LSU teammates during the 2023-24 season. However, their immense talent could not translate to on-court success as their team got eliminated in the Elite Eight.