Top 10 NBA All Time Rebound Leaders
When we think about the all-time NBA rebound leaders, we’re looking at the guys who mastered the art of controlling the glass, setting the tone for the game. These players didn’t just play the game; they dominated one of its most essential aspects: grabbing every miss.
Whether it was their positioning or their ability to box anybody out, they were the ones who kept possessions alive, giving their teams extra chances to score. Let’s take a look at the all time NBA rebound leaders who turned rebounding into their signature skill.
NBA All-Time Rebound Leaders
1. Wilt Chamberlain – 23,924 Rebounds
When you talk about owning the glass, Wilt Chamberlain is the name at the top of that list. With 23,924 career rebounds, Chamberlain wasn’t just a 7’1” giant—he moved like a guard, jumped out of the gym, and had the kind of power that made rebounds feel like loose change.
Chamberlain’s ability to control the glass helped shift the entire momentum of a game. It’s no wonder he’s the leader in most rebounds in NBA history. Even after all these years, no one has come close to his numbers in this department.
2. Bill Russell – 21,620 Rebounds
With 21,620 career rebounds, Bill Russell locked in his place as arguably the greatest rebounder of all time. Standing at 6’10”, Russell wasn’t the most physically overwhelming presence, but his anticipation, timing, and defensive instincts made him an absolute menace on the boards.
Russell didn’t need point totals or highlight plays to make his impact. He controlled the glass, smothered passing lanes, and led with the kind of intensity that turned good teams into championship contenders. He was far from one of the players with the highest vertical jumps in NBA history, but he didn’t need to sky for boards when he was already two steps ahead of the play.
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 17,440 Rebounds
Known for his skyhook and scoring records, and topping the all-time NBA scoring leaders list, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also did serious work on the boards. With 17,440 career rebounds, he ranks comfortably among the most rebounds in NBA history. His 7’2″ frame made him a natural inside presence, but it was his footwork, discipline, and consistency that made him a nightmare to box out for two straight decades.
Abdul-Jabbar could read angles like a physicist and time his rebounds like clockwork. It’s no wonder his name always comes up in conversations about the top 20 best NBA players in history, even if fans tend to focus more on his scoring than his work on the glass.
4. Elvin Hayes – 16,279 Rebounds
There’s gritty, and then there’s Elvin Hayes. When talking about the all-time NBA rebound leaders, his name comes up for good reason—16,279 rebounds don’t just fall into your lap. At 6’9″, Hayes wasn’t the tallest big on the court, but he played like every board was personal.
Beyond cleaning the glass, Hayes was also a consistent scorer and a reliable workhorse, logging significant minutes and showing up every night. As an undersized big, he never cracked the list of players with the most blocks in NBA history, but when it came to rebounding, he was a straight-up problem.
5. Moses Malone – 16,212 Rebounds
Keeping the spotlight on undersized rebounders, Moses Malone’s 16,212 career rebounds speak for themselves. Malone was a relentless force on both ends of the floor. Known for constantly crashing the boards, especially on the offensive glass, made him a nightmare for opponents.
A game-changer through and through, Malone left his mark on the league with every board he pulled down, cementing himself as one of the best NBA power forwards ever to play the game.
6. Tim Duncan – 15,091 Rebounds
Tim Duncan might be remembered for his textbook fundamentals and that smooth 15-foot bank shot, but his rebounding was just as crucial. Collecting 15,091 career boards, Duncan didn’t rely on flash—just clever positioning, timing, and a motor that never seemed to wear down, even deep into his career.
Duncan was quiet off the court, sure. But in the paint? Not so much. He controlled the boards like it was his job (because, well, it was), and helped him become one of the best international NBA players of all time.
Without a doubt, Wilt Chamberlain takes the crown with the most rebounds in NBA history, pulling down a ridiculous 23,924 boards over his career. As for who the best rebounder is? It’s hard to argue against Chamberlain’s numbers, but players like Russell and Malone deserve credit for their impact. Ultimately, the best rebounder is a combination of hustle, timing, and strength, and Chamberlain had all of that.
