Falkenheim explains his Reese vote
Dan FalkenheimSports Illustrated reporter and awards voter
Falkenheim explains that reviewing defensive possessions led him to favor Reese, while recognizing the strengths of the other candidates.
Responding to
Angel Reese deserved the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
“I voted for Angel Reese for Defensive Player of the Year.”
Original post
Where this statement fits
Did Angel Reese deserve the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award?
The WNBA named Angel Reese its 2026 Defensive Player of the Year on October 1. She received 46 of 74 votes, ahead of Gabby Williams with 20 and A'ja Wilson with four. Voters defend Reese's impact on Atlanta's defense. Sue Bird and Lindsay Gibbs favor Williams while calling Reese deserving. Dan Zaksheske criticizes the result, and Andrew Jerell Jones argues for a shared Reese and Wilson award.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Falkenheim posted after the league announced the award. He describes reviewing defensive possessions, acknowledges limits in evaluating defense and recognizes other deserving candidates.
Before the quotation
Falkenheim posted after the league announced the award.
After the quotation
He describes reviewing defensive possessions, acknowledges limits in evaluating defense and recognizes other deserving candidates.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to selecting Reese, Falkenheim supports the choice. Acknowledging other deserving candidates and the limits of his evaluation does not create a conflicting position.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Angel Reese, WNBA
More from this case
Read the full caseZaksheske favors Wilson and criticizes Reese's voting margin
“the best defender in the WNBA as far as I'm concerned”Read statement
Jones calls for a shared Reese and Wilson award
“it should have been at least a #WNBA Co-DPOY for A’Ja Wilson and Angel Reese.”Read statement
Dalzell calls Reese's award deserved
“Well-deserved Defensive Player of the Year honor for Angel Reese”Read statement
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Falkenheim explains his Reese vote
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/4436-falkenheim-explains-that-reviewing-defensive-possessions-led-him
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Falkenheim explains his Reese vote". First published: 2026-10-02. Last updated: 2026-10-02. https://disputeindex.com/events/4436-falkenheim-explains-that-reviewing-defensive-possessions-led-him