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This list exhibits the National Basketball Association 's top rookie single-season rebounding averages and top rookie single-season rebounding averages since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976 based on at least 70 games played or 800 rebounds. The NBA did not record rebounds until the 1950–51 season .
Statistics accurate as of the 2023–24 NBA season .
All-time
Rank
Season
Player
Team
Games
Rebounds
RPG
1
1959–60
Wilt Chamberlain *
Philadelphia Warriors
72
1,941
27.0
2
1956–57
Bill Russell *
Boston Celtics
48
943
19.6
3
1961–62
Walt Bellamy *
Chicago Packers
79
1,500
19.0
4
1968–69
Wes Unseld *
Baltimore Bullets
82
1,491
18.2
5
1963–64
Jerry Lucas *
Cincinnati Royals
79
1,375
17.4
6
1968–69
Elvin Hayes *
San Diego Rockets
82
1,406
17.1
7
1955–56
Maurice Stokes *
Rochester Royals
67
1,094
16.3
8
1971–72
Elmore Smith
Buffalo Braves
78
1,184
15.2
9
1970–71
Dave Cowens *
Boston Celtics
81
1,216
15.0
10
1958–59
Elgin Baylor *
Minneapolis Lakers
70
1,050
15.0
11
1964–65
Willis Reed *
New York Knicks
80
1,175
14.7
12
1969–70
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar *
Milwaukee Bucks
82
1,190
14.5
13
1992–93
Shaquille O'Neal *
Orlando Magic
81
1,122
13.9
14
1954–55
Bob Pettit *
Milwaukee Hawks
72
994
13.8
15
1963–64
Gus Johnson *
Baltimore Bullets
78
1,064
13.6
16
1951–52
Mel Hutchins
Milwaukee Hawks
66
880
13.3
17
1953–54
Ray Felix
Baltimore Bullets
72
958
13.3
18
1964–65
Lucious Jackson
Philadelphia 76ers
76
980
12.9
19
1981–82
Buck Williams
New Jersey Nets
82
1,005
12.3
20
1991–92
Dikembe Mutombo *
Denver Nuggets
71
870
12.3
Since NBA/ABA merger (1976)
See also
Notes
External links