Who is the best rebounder in NBA history? Looking at the top 5 players of all time with the highest RPG stats

#3 Bob Petit – 16.2 rebounds per game

Bob Petit played in the NBA for 11 seasons and became the first MVP recipient as a 23-year old in 1956. He also became the first to win 2 MVP awards after winning it again in 1959, the year he won his one and only NBA championship.

We take it back to 1962 to Bob Petit setting the #NBAAllStar record for rebounds in a game with 27!#NBAFantasy pic.twitter.com/TgLJ9xfqkD

— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) February 17, 2019

Petit retired at the age of 32 after spending 11 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and also led the league in scoring during his MVP winning seasons. Petit started out as a center but found huge success as a Power Forward as well, and his lack of a longer career means that he is 3rd on this list.

#2 Bill Russell – 22.45 rebounds per game

Considered to be the chief architect behind the famous Boston Celtics’ dynasty during the 60s and the 70s, NBA legend Bill Russell takes up the number 2 spot in the list. Russell won the Championship a whopping 11 times for the Celtics in 13 years, and had ten seasons with more than 20 rebounds consecutively.

2019 NBA All-Star Game

He finished his career with an astounding stat line and never registered less than 18.6 rebounds per game, something that happened in his second last season. Regardless, Russell was part of a golden generation alongside the likes of Sam Jones and Bob Cousy, and is unlikely to be caught up to.

#1 Wilt Chamberlain – 22.89 rebounds

In what is hardly surprising, Wilt Chamberlain is at the top of this list. The 76ers legend is often considered to be the best rebounder the league ever saw, and the stats more than back it up.

The most consecutive seasons atop the NBA in rebounds per game, led by @dennisrodman! 😤7: 1991-98 Dennis Rodman5: 1980-85 Moses Malone4: 1965-69 Wilt Chamberlain4: 1959-63 Wilt Chamberlain4: 2003-07 Kevin GarnettThe Last Dance continues Sunday at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/vikECutgvZ

— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2020

Chamberlain took the league by storm as a 23-year old and is one of the best scorers the NBA has ever seen as well. He opened his career with 10 straight seasons averaging more than 20 rebounds and 20 points, and has a number of other NBA records to his name as well.