The star NBA scorers may steal most of the attention but even their victory wouldn’t suffice if it wasn’t for the champion rebounders who were always there upfront aiding their team. As an exciting sport like Basketball keeps us at the edge of our seats with fascinating coordinated teamwork, the legendary rebounders have since the start filled a significant role gracefully carrying out the high spirits of the game. Speaking of such legends, a few names echo in the crowds, who’ve set unimaginable records and addressing that here are the top 10.
So let’s read on and find out who are these top 10 best rebounders in NBA history to have ever played, in no particular order.
Wilt Chamberlain
PPG – 30.1; RPG – 22.9; APG – 4.4
Total Rebounds – 23,924
The name Wilt Chamberlain is familiar to anyone who has even just heard of the NBA. Often regarded as the second-best player after Jordan, what Chamberlain was equally brilliant at, was his rebound skills. The 7-ft.-1-inch man had once scored 100 points by himself in a match, but his records in rebounds just as with his points, run a long list. Russell in his career won 11 titles for his rebounding skills, which isn’t surprising as he scored a total of 23,924 rebounds in the 1000+ NBA games he played in his lifetime.
Bill Russell
PPG – 15.1; RPG – 22.5; APG – 4.3
Total Rebounds – 21,620
Another iconic player, Bill Russell has set the record high enough for his successors to attain. A 5-time MVP, an 11-time NBA championship winner, it is rare to come across a player like Russell, especially one who once pulled 53 rebounds in just one game. With 21,620 rebounds at hand throughout his NBA career, Bill Russell despite being not the best scorer has become a timeless legend in the NBA with his remarkable athleticism.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
PPG – 24.6; RPG – 11.2; APG – 3.6
Total Rebounds – 17,440
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had always been a winner whether it was as an individual scorer or as a team player. The harmless-looking player had court skills that’d intimidate even the bigger players. With 17,440 rebounds up his sleeves, Jabbar ranks third in overall rebounds and blocked shots in the NBA. After all, one simply doesn’t become such a sough-after name, if not for their astounding skills and signature moves that mark down the NBA’s golden past.
Elvin Hayes
PPG – 21.0; RPG – 12.5; APG – 1.8
Total Rebounds – 16,279
A remarkable power forward, Elvin Hayes may have not been the best scorer but was deemed a luminary as a rebounder. He is the fourth-ranked in the NBA rebounders list and singlehandedly pushed himself to remain in the top 10 rebounders 14 times in his 16 seasons professional career. A prime 70s player, and a legend of the Washington Wizards, Hayes scored a total of 16,279 rebounds during his career.
Moses Malone
PPG – 20.6; RPG – 12.2; APG -1.4
Total Rebounds – 16,212
A remarkable center player Moses Malone gave his 21 years in the NBA which aided some of the most celebrated moments of the game. Another optimum scorer and rebounder at the same time, Malone scored a total of 16,212 rebounds. The relentless player knew how to keep control of the backboard and is even regarded as the best offensive rebounder to have ever played.
Tim Duncan
PPG – 19.0; RPG – 10.8; APG – 3.0
Total Rebounds – 15,091
Another brilliant power forward, Duncan dominated the court amidst the players and even responsibly led the San Antonio Spurs to 5 NBA championships. However, apart from being an illustrious scorer, Duncan’s rebounding game has been at its peak. Thus ranking in the top 10 NBA rebounders with 15091 rebounds, Tim Duncan certainly makes the list.
Karl Malone
PPG – 25.0; RPG – 10.1; APG – 3.6
Total Rebounds – 14,968
The nickname of ‘the Mailman’ always rings the bell of the NBA great Karl Malone. He is considered as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history. Malone played 19 seasons in the NBA and is famous for his playing stint with the Utah Jazz. At the end of his NBA career, Malone retired as a Los Angeles Lakers player.
Malone is a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1997, 1999) and is a fourteen-time NBA All-Star. He is also inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and more recently he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Malone was particularly known for his bold and fearless defense and the results were obvious. He took his team, Utah Jazz, to new heights and was a major contender in almost all NBA Playoffs that he played in. During his time, ‘the Mailman’ secured 14,968 rebounds in total.
Robert Parish
PPG – 14.5; RPG – 9.1; BPG – 1.5
Total Rebounds – 14,715
Robert Lee Parish aka. Robert Parish was the eighth overall draft pick in the 1976 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. Notably, Parish played a record 21 seasons as a center in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played from 1976 to 1997.
Moreover, Parish is a four-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986, 1997) and a nine-time NBA All-Star. He is also inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and more recently he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Nicknamed as ‘The Chief’, Parish was a defensive powerhouse and an effective scorer. In his NBA career, Parish collected 14,715 rebounds.
Kevin Garnett
PPG – 17.8; RPG – 10.0; APG – 3.7
Total Rebounds – 14,662
The legend of Kevin Garnett is not alien in the basketball world. Known for his intensity, defensive ability, and versatility, Garnett is considered one of the greatest power forwards of all time.
Garnett was the fifth overall draft pick in the 1995 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played in the NBA for 21 seasons, from 1995 to 2016. Garnett has played for Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets. However, Garnett is best known for his playing stint with the Boston Celtics.
Notably, Garnett is an NBA champion (2008) and the NBA Most Valuable Player (2004). He is also a fifteen-time NBA All-Star who has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2008) award. He is also inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and more recently he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Garnett was a powerful defender on the court and one of the best rebounders in the NBA, and for this reason, he is a four-time NBA rebounding champion (2004–2007). In his career, Garnett has secured 14,662 rebounds.
Dwight Howard
PPG – 15.7; RPG – 11.8; APG – 1.3
Total Rebounds – 14,627
The big and brawny Dwight Howard recently made it into the top 10 of all-time rebounds in NBA history. Currently plying his trade for Taoyuan Leopards of the T1 League, Howard was a powerhouse during the late 2000s and early 2010s. It is worth noting that Howard is a one-time NBA champion with Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Thus, with Howard ends our list of the top 10 celebrated NBA rebounders who’ve not only set a benchmark in American Basketball History but also in the hearts of millions of fans.
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