Topic Terms

What is a Rebound in Basketball

A rebound in basketball is when a player successfully catches or gains possession of the ball after a missed field goal or free throw attempt.

A rebound in basketball is when a player gains possession of the ball after a missed field goal or free throw attempt. Rebounding is one of the five major statistical categories in basketball and is a crucial aspect of both offense and defense.

Types of Rebounds

Offensive Rebound

An offensive rebound occurs when a player from the shooting team retrieves their own or a teammate's missed shot. Offensive rebounds:

  • Give the team a second-chance scoring opportunity
  • Are among the most valuable possessions in basketball
  • Are measured by offensive rebounding percentage (ORB%)

Defensive Rebound

A defensive rebound occurs when the defending team gains possession of a missed shot by the offense. Defensive rebounds:

  • End the opponent's possession
  • Are the more common type of rebound (roughly 70% of all rebounds are defensive)
  • Are measured by defensive rebounding percentage (DRB%)

How Rebounding Is Measured

  • Rebounds per game (RPG) — Average rebounds per game
  • Total rebound percentage (TRB%) — Percentage of available rebounds a player grabs while on the floor
  • ORB% and DRB% — Offensive and defensive rebound percentages individually

Why Rebounding Matters

Each rebound directly corresponds to a possession, and possessions are the currency of basketball. Teams that dominate the boards:

  • Gain extra possessions through offensive rebounds
  • Prevent opponent second-chance points through defensive rebounds
  • Control the pace of the game

All-Time Rebounding Leaders

  • Wilt Chamberlain — All-time NBA leader with 23,924 career rebounds; averaged 22.9 per game
  • Bill Russell — 21,620 career rebounds; 11-time champion
  • Moses Malone — 17,834 career rebounds
  • Dennis Rodman — 6 rebounding titles; averaged 13.1 per game for his career despite being undersized

Modern Rebounding Stars

  • Rudy Gobert — Perennial top rebounder in the modern NBA
  • Nikola Jokić — Elite rebounding center who combines rebounding with elite passing
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo — One of the best rebounding wings in NBA history

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