Andre Drummond, the veteran center for the Chicago Bulls, caused quite a stir when he declared himself the NBA’s “best rebounder ever” this offseason. Many fans scoffed at the idea, pointing to NBA legends like Wilt Chamberlain and Dennis Rodman as better candidates.
With the Bulls recently shorthanded, Drummond has reminded fans of his elite rebounding ability, averaging 21.3 rebounds per game over his last three games. According to Bulls PR, Drummond’s 64 total boards in three games are the most by a Chicago player since Rodman in January 1998.
Despite his 12-year career of consistent rebounding dominance, the big man ranks 40th all-time in total career rebounds. Furthermore, despite reaching 10,000 career boards earlier this season, he isn’t even the league’s active rebounding leader.
On that note, here are the only three active players who have at least 10,000 career rebounds, two of whom have more than Drummond:
3. Andre Drummond (10,238)
With 10,238 rebounds in 819 games over 12 seasons, Andre Drummond ranks third among active players.
The two-time All-Star averaged a career-high 16.0 rpg with the Detroit Pistons in 2017–18.
2. DeAndre Jordan (10,418 rebounds)
DeAndre Jordan, a veteran center for the Denver Nuggets, is second with 10,418 rebounds in 1,033 games over 16 seasons.
In the 2017-18 season with the Los Angeles Clippers, the former All-Star averaged a career-high 15.2 rpg.
1. LeBron James (10,896 rebounds)
Finally, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers has the most rebounds of any active player, with 10,896 in 1,452 games over 21 seasons.
James isn’t known for his rebounding ability, as his best rebounding season came in the 2017-18 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, when he averaged 8.6 rpg. Throughout his illustrious 21-year career, the four-time champion has been one of the NBA’s most consistent all-around stat-sheet stuffers.