List of NBA annual rebounding leaders explained

In basketball, a rebound is the act of gaining possession of the ball after a missed field goal or free throw. An offensive rebound occurs when a player recovers the ball after their own or a teammate's missed shot attempt, while a defensive rebound occurs when a player recovers the ball after an opponent's missed shot attempt.^[1] The National Basketball Association's (NBA) rebounding title is awarded to the player with the highest rebounds per game average in a given season. It was first recognized in the 1950–51 season, which was the second season after the league was created in 1949 by merger of the 3-year-old BAA and 12-year-old NBL. Players who earned rebounding titles before the 1973–74 season did not record any offensive or defensive rebounds because statistics on them were not recorded before that season.^[2] To qualify for the rebounding title, a player must appear in at least 58 games (out of 82). However, a player who appears in fewer than 58 games may qualify as annual rebounding leader if his rebound total would have given him the greatest average, had he appeared in 58 games. This has been the requirement since the 2013–14 season.^[3] The rebounding title was originally determined by rebound total through the 1968–69 season, after which rebounds per game was used to determine the leader instead.

Wilt Chamberlain holds the all-time records for total rebounds (2,149) and rebounds per game (27.2) in a season; both records were achieved in the 1960–61 season.^[4] He also holds the rookie records for total rebounds, with 1,941 in the 1959–60 season.^[5] Among active players, Andre Drummond has the highest season rebound total (1,247) and the highest season rebounding average (15.99), both achieved in the 2017–18 season. At 22 years, 130 days, Dwight Howard is the youngest rebounding leader in NBA history (achieved in the season),^[6] while Dennis Rodman is the oldest at 36 years, 341 days (achieved in the season).

Chamberlain has won the most rebounding titles in his career, with 11.^[4] Dennis Rodman has won a record seven consecutive rebounding titles.^[7] Moses Malone has won six rebounding titles. Howard has won five rebounding titles. Kevin Garnett and Bill Russell have won four rebounding titles each. Drummond has won four rebounding titles. Elvin Hayes, Dikembe Mutombo, Hakeem Olajuwon, Ben Wallace, DeAndre Jordan, and Damontas Sabonis are the only other players who have won the title multiple times. Six players have won the rebounding title and the NBA championship in the same season: Mikan in 1953 with the Minneapolis Lakers; Russell in 1959, 1964, and 1965 with the Boston Celtics; Chamberlain in 1967 and 1972 with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers, respectively; Bill Walton in 1977 with the Portland Trail Blazers; Malone in 1983 with the 76ers; and Rodman in 1996, 1997, and 1998 with the Chicago Bulls.^[8]

Key

^	Denotes player who is still active in the NBA
	Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
†	Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration
‡	Denotes player who won the Most Valuable Player award that year
Player (X)		Denotes the number of times the player had been the rebounding leader up to and including that season
G	Guard		F	Forward	C	Center

Annual leaders

Season	Player	Pos.	Team	Games played	Offensive rebounds	Defensive rebounds	Total rebounds	Rebounds per game	Ref
		F/C		66	—	—	1,080	16.36	^[9] ^[10]
		C		66	—	—	880	13.33	^[11]
		C		66	—	—	880	13.33	^[12]
		C		70	—	—	1,007	14.39	^[13]
		F/C		72	—	—	1,098	15.25	^[14]
		C		72	—	—	1,085	15.07	^[15]
‡		C		72	—	—	1,164	16.17	^[16]
		F		72	—	—	1,256	17.44	^[17]
‡		C		69	—	—	1,564	22.67	^[18]
	(2)	C		70	—	—	1,612	23.03
‡		C		72	—	—	1,941	26.96	^[19]
	(2)	C		79	—	—	2,149	27.20
	(3)	C		80	—	—	2,052	25.65
	(4)	C		80	—	—	1,946	24.32
	(3)	C		78	—	—	1,930	24.74
‡	(4)	C		78	—	—	1,878	24.08
‡	(5)	C		79	—	—	1,943	24.59
‡	(6)	C		81	—	—	1,957	24.16
‡	(7)	C		82	—	—	1,952	23.80
	(8)	C		81	—	—	1,712	21.14
		C		82	—	—	1,386	16.90	^[20] ^[21]
	(9)	C		82	—	—	1,493	18.21	^[22]
	(10)	C		82	—	—	1,572	19.17	^[23]
	(11)	C		82	—	—	1,526	18.61	^[24]
	(2)	F		81	354	1,109	1,463	18.06	^[25]
		C/F		73	318	759	1,077	14.75	^[26] ^[27]
‡		C		82	272	1,111	1,383	16.87	^[28] ^[29]
		C/F		65	211	723	934	14.37	^[30] ^[31]
		C/F		82	298	990	1,288	15.71	^[32] ^[33]
‡		C		82	587	857	1,444	17.61	^[34] ^[35]
		C		81	352	864	1,216	15.01	^[36] ^[37]
	(2)	C		80	474	706	1,180	14.75	^[38]
‡	(3)	C		81	558	630	1,188	14.67	^[39]
‡	(4)	C		78	445	749	1,194	15.31	^[40]
	(5)	C		71	352	598	950	13.38	^[41]
	(6)	C		79	385	646	1,031	13.05	^[42]
		C		82	305	770	1,075	13.11	^[43] ^[44]
		F		68	390	604	994	14.62	^[45] ^[46]
		F/C		72	371	567	938	13.03	^[47] ^[48]
		C		82	338	767	1,105	13.48	^[49] ^[50]
	(2)	C		82	299	850	1,149	14.01	^[51]
		C		82	335	728	1,063	12.96	^[52] ^[53]
		F		82	523	1,007	1,530	18.66	^[54] ^[55]
	(2)	F		62	367	765	1,132	18.26	^[56]
	(3)	F		79	453	914	1,367	17.30	^[57]
	(4)	F		49	274	549	823	16.80	^[58]
	(5)	F		64	356	596	952	14.88	^[59]
	(6)	F		55	320	563	883	16.05	^[60]
	(7)	F		80	421	780	1,201	15.01	^[61]
		F/C		42	149	396	545	12.98	^[62] ^[63]
		C		82	304	853	1,157	14.11	^[64] ^[65]
	(2)	C		75	307	708	1,015	13.53	^[66]
		C/F		80	318	721	1,039	12.99	^[67] ^[68]
	(2)	C/F		73	293	833	1,126	15.42	^[69]
‡		F		82	245	894	1,139	13.89	^[70] ^[71]
	(2)	F		82	247	861	1,108	13.51	^[72]
	(3)	F		76	214	752	966	12.71	^[73]
	(4)	F		76	183	792	975	12.83	^[74]
	^†	C		82	279	882	1,161	14.16	^[75] ^[76]
	^† (2)	C		79	336	757	1,093	13.84
	^† (3)	C		82	284	798	1,082	13.20
	^	F/C		73	330	782	1,112	15.23	^[77]
	^† (4)	C		54	200	585	785	14.54
	^† (5)	C		76	251	694	945	12.43	^[78]
	^	C		82	331	783	1,114	13.59	^[79]
	^ (2)	C		82	397	829	1,226	14.95	^[80]
	^	C		81	395	803	1,198	14.79
		C	Miami Heat	77	293	795	1,088	14.13	^[81]
	^ (2)	C	Detroit Pistons	78	399	848	1,247	15.99	^[82]
	^ (3)	C	Detroit Pistons	79	423	809	1,232	15.59
	^ (4)	C	Detroit Pistons Cleveland Cavaliers	57	250	614	864	15.16
	^	C	Atlanta Hawks	63	297	606	903	14.33	^[83]
	^	C	Utah Jazz	66	241	727	968	14.67
	^	C	Sacramento Kings	79	251	722	973	12.32	^[84]
	^ (2)	C	Sacramento Kings	82	294	826	1,120	13.66

Multiple-time leaders

Rank	Player	Team	Times leader	Years
1	Wilt Chamberlain	Philadelphia Warriors/San Francisco Warriors (4) / Philadelphia 76ers (3) / Los Angeles Lakers (4)	11	,,,,,,,,,,
2	Dennis Rodman	Detroit Pistons (2) / San Antonio Spurs (2) / Chicago Bulls (3)	7	,,,,,,
3	Moses Malone	Houston Rockets (3) / Philadelphia 76ers (3)	6	,,,,,
4	Dwight Howard	Orlando Magic (4) / Los Angeles Lakers (1)	5	,,,,
5	Andre Drummond	Detroit Pistons (3) / Cleveland Cavaliers (1)	4	,,,
	Kevin Garnett	Minnesota Timberwolves		,,,
	Bill Russell	Boston Celtics		,,,
8	Elvin Hayes	San Diego Rockets (1) / Capital Bullets (1)	2	,
	DeAndre Jordan	Los Angeles Clippers		,
	Dikembe Mutombo	Atlanta Hawks (1) / Philadelphia 76ers (1)		,
	Hakeem Olajuwon	Houston Rockets		,
	Domantas Sabonis	Sacramento Kings		,
	Ben Wallace	Detroit Pistons		,

See also

• NBA records
• List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders
• List of National Basketball Association annual scoring leaders
• List of National Basketball Association annual 3-point scoring leaders
• List of National Basketball Association annual assists leaders
• List of National Basketball Association annual steals leaders
• List of National Basketball Association annual blocks leaders

References

General

• Web site: Yearly Leaders and Records for Rebounds Per Game. basketball-reference.com. February 22, 2010. December 4, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111204035601/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/trb_per_g_yearly.html. live.

Specific

Notes and References

1. Web site: Basketball glossary. https://web.archive.org/web/20100516175956/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/baskBasi/glos.asp. dead. May 16, 2010. FIBA.com. March 4, 2010.
2. Web site: Regular Season Records: Rebounds. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20140705063539/http://www.nba.com/history/records/regular_rebounds.html. July 5, 2014. dead.
3. Web site: Rate Statistic Requirements. basketball-reference.com. February 6, 2020. May 14, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130514040849/http://www.basketball-reference.com/about/rate_stat_req.html. live.
4. Web site: Wilt Chamberlain. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. December 15, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061215202627/http://www.nba.com/history/players/chamberlain_bio.html. live.
5. Web site: Wilt Chamberlain's NBA records. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. April 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160425232201/http://www.nba.com/encyclopedia/wilts_records.html. live.
6. Web site: Magic rest starters, ride Redick, Gortat to blowout of Wizards. April 16, 2008. ESPN. April 25, 2013. December 5, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141205050745/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280416019. dead.
7. Web site: Dennis Rodman . NBA.com . Turner Sports Interactive, Inc . February 22, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100420020818/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dennis_rodman/bio.html . April 20, 2010 .
8. Web site: NBA Honors: Rebounds Leaders, Year by Year. Land of Basketball. October 15, 2020. October 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201015082232/https://www.landofbasketball.com/awards/nba_rebounds_leader_year.htm. live.
9. Web site: 2013-14 Official NBA Guide. November 6, 2013. nba.com. December 29, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20160313052807/https://turnernbahangtime.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/2013-nba-guide.pdf. March 13, 2016. dead.
10. s/schaydo01. Dolph Schayes. February 22, 2010.
11. f/foustla01. Larry Foust. December 29, 2013.
12. h/hutchme01. Mel Hutchins. December 29, 2013.
13. m/mikange01. George Mikan. February 22, 2010.
14. g/gallaha01. Harry Gallatin. February 22, 2010.
15. j/johnsne01. Neil Johnston. February 22, 2010.
16. p/pettibo01. Bob Pettit. December 29, 2013.
17. s/stokema01. Maurice Stokes. February 22, 2010.
18. r/russebi01. Bill Russell. February 22, 2010.
19. c/chambwi01. Wilt Chamberlain. February 22, 2010.
20. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1969–70. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151108174716/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19691970.html. November 8, 2015. dead.
21. h/hayesel01. Elvin Hayes. February 22, 2010.
22. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1970–71. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20160308005402/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19701971.html. March 8, 2016. dead.
23. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1971–72. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151121162921/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19711972.html. November 21, 2015. dead.
24. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1972–73. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151121162921/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19711972.html. November 21, 2015. dead.
25. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1973–74. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20150628190816/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19731974.html. June 28, 2015. dead.
26. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1974–75. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151031054606/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19741975.html. October 31, 2015. dead.
27. u/unselwe01. Wes Unseld. February 22, 2010.
28. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1975–76. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20150628190820/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19751976.html. June 28, 2015. dead.
29. a/abdulka01. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. February 22, 2010.
30. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1976–77. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151101093501/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19761977.html. November 1, 2015. dead.
31. w/waltobi01. Bill Walton. February 22, 2010.
32. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1977–78. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151101093458/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19771978.html. November 1, 2015. dead.
33. r/robintr01. Truck Robinson. February 22, 2010.
34. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1978–79. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151129163850/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19781979.html. November 29, 2015. dead.
35. m/malonmo01. Moses Malone. February 22, 2010.
36. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1979–80. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151031060203/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19791980.html. October 31, 2015. dead.
37. n/natersw01. Swen Nater. February 22, 2010.
38. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1980–81. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106212542/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19801981.html. November 6, 2015. dead.
39. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1981–82. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075818/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19811982.html. March 4, 2016. dead.
40. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1982–83. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125022944/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19821983.html. November 25, 2015. dead.
41. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1983–84. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125024450/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19831984.html. November 25, 2015. dead.
42. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1984–85. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151129163900/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19841985.html. November 29, 2015. dead.
43. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1985–86. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125024454/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19851986.html. November 25, 2015. dead.
44. l/laimbbi01. Bill Laimbeer. February 22, 2010.
45. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1986–87. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125024501/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19861987.html. November 25, 2015. dead.
46. b/barklch01. Charles Barkley. February 22, 2010.
47. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1987–88. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125024504/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19871988.html. November 25, 2015. dead.
48. c/cagemi01. Michael Cage. February 22, 2010.
49. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1988–89. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20150628190841/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19881989.html. June 28, 2015. dead.
50. o/olajuha01. Hakeem Olajuwon. February 22, 2010.
51. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1989–90. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151121162925/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19891990.html. November 21, 2015. dead.
52. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1990–91. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125024508/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19901991.html. November 25, 2015. dead.
53. r/robinda01. David Robinson. February 22, 2010.
54. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1991–92. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151108174724/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19911992.html. November 8, 2015. dead.
55. r/rodmade01. Dennis Rodman. February 22, 2010.
56. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1992–93. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106212545/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19921993.html. November 6, 2015. dead.
57. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1993–94. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151101093508/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19931994.html. November 1, 2015. dead.
58. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1994–95. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151108174727/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19941995.html. November 8, 2015. dead.
59. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1995–96. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151108174731/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19951996.html. November 8, 2015. dead.
60. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1996–97. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125024513/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19961997.html. November 25, 2015. dead.
61. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1997–98. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106212549/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19971998.html. November 6, 2015. dead.
62. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1998–99. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151031054610/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19981999.html. October 31, 2015. dead.
63. w/webbech01. Chris Webber. February 22, 2010.
64. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 1999–2000. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20150629050630/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/19992000.html. June 29, 2015. dead.
65. m/mutomdi01. Dikembe Mutombo. February 22, 2010.
66. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 2000–01. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125024516/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/20002001.html. November 25, 2015. dead.
67. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 2001–02. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151031054635/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/20012002.html. October 31, 2015. dead.
68. w/wallabe01. Ben Wallace. February 22, 2010.
69. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 2002–03. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 22, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151031060212/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/20022003.html. October 31, 2015. dead.
70. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 2003–04. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 23, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213036/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/20032004.html. March 3, 2016. dead.
71. g/garneke01. Kevin Garnett. February 22, 2010.
72. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 2004–05. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 23, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20150628190855/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/20042005.html. June 28, 2015. dead.
73. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 2005–06. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 23, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151121162930/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/20052006.html. November 21, 2015. dead.
74. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 2006–07. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 23, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20150628190859/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/20062007.html. June 28, 2015. dead.
75. Web site: League Leaders: Rebounds – 2007–08. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 23, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151121162934/http://www.nba.com/history/rebounds/20072008.html. November 21, 2015. dead.
76. h/howardw01. Dwight Howard. February 22, 2010.
77. l/loveke01. Kevin Love. April 13, 2011.
78. Web site: 2012–13 Rebounding Leaders: Rebounds Per Game. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 23, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130123080143/http://www.nba.com/statistics/player/Rebounds.jsp?league=00&season=22012&conf=OVERALL&position=0&splitType=9&splitScope=GAME&qualified=Y&yearsExp=-1&splitDD=. January 23, 2013.
79. j/jordade01. DeAndre Jordan. April 17, 2014.
80. j/jordade01. DeAndre Jordan. April 15, 2015.
81. w/whiteha01.html. Hassan Whiteside. April 13, 2017.
82. d/drumman01. Andre Drummond. April 13, 2017.
83. c/capelca01. Clint Capela. May 17, 2021.
84. Web site: Huff . Mathew . Domantas Sabonis Wins NBA Rebounding Title . The Sports Daily . 11 April 2023 . 30 April 2023 . 19 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419202657/https://thesportsdaily.com/news/domantas-sabonis-wins-nba-rebounding-title/ . live .