'Proud' Angel Reese showers DiJonai Carrington with love over Sun guard's latest accolade

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington for winning the WNBA Most Improved Player award.

Carrington, the 20th overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft, had her best season yet, setting career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.

According to the WNBA, Carrington received 28 of 67 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. LA Sparks forward Dearica Hamby finished second with 18 votes, while Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton came in third with 15.

As Carrington shared her achievement on X, Angel Reese responded and congratulated her, saying:

"so proud of you💋."

In her rookie season, Carrington averaged just 2.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game, mostly coming off the bench with just one start.

Her performance improved in her second year to 6.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. She further developed and averaged 8.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 2023, finishing as the runner-up for Sixth Player of the Year.

This season, Carrington averaged career-highs of 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.56 steals.

Other players receiving votes included Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter (three votes) and Seattle Storm’s Jordan Horston, New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu, and Lynx’s Alanna Smith, each with one vote.

Angel Reese and DiJonai Carrington to play in Unrivaled League

Looking ahead, Angel Reese and DiJonai Carrington are set to compete in the Unrivaled Basketball League. It's a 3-on-3 women’s league founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, launched in January 2025 in Miami.

Reese, who had her rookie season prematurely ended by injury, expressed excitement for her return to women’s basketball through Unrivaled.

Reese, the 10th player confirmed for the league, said:

“I am finally able to give myself a physical and mental break,” she stated. “You’ll still see me being the biggest cheerleader on the sideline! And Unrivaled league, see you soon.”

Angel Reese, the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft out of LSU, set a league record with 26 double-doubles in her rookie season. She was just two short of the single-season record of Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas who had 28 double-doubles in 2023.

Reese led the WNBA in rebounds per game (13.1) and offensive rebounds per game (5.1) before her season was cut short due to a wrist injury. This injury, in fact, contributed to the Sky missing the playoffs after ending the season on a five-game losing streak.

Meanwhile, Carrington was the 19th player announced to join the Unrivaled league.