This is a fantasy basketball review and analysis of the top 10 rebounders in the NBA from the 2024-25 season. It is part of a series of articles where the top producers from each key counting statistical category are broken down.
Fantasy Basketball: Top 10 Rebounders in 2024-25
Below is a list of the top 10 rebounders in the NBA based on totals. Information provided includes their total rebounds accumulated in the season, rebounds per game, ranking in the 9-category scoring format at the end of the season, and 9-cat ranking based on totals.
- Ivica Zubac – 1,010 Total Rebounds | 12.6 RPG | 9-cat Rank: 30 | 9-cat Totals: 9
- Domantas Sabonis – 972 Total Rebounds | 13.9 RPG | 9-cat Rank: 19 | 9-cat Totals: 24
- Karl-Anthony Towns – 920 Total Rebounds | 12.8 RPG | 9-cat Rank: 6 | 9-cat Totals: 4
- Nikola Jokic – 892 Total Rebounds | 12.7 RPG | 9-cat Rank: 1 | 9-cat Totals: 2
- Jalen Duren – 807 Total Rebounds | 10.3 RPG | 9-cat Rank: 78 | 9-cat Totals: 47
- Jarrett Allen – 798 Total Rebounds | 9.7 RPG | 9-cat Rank: 53 | 9-cat Totals: 14
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – 798 Total Rebounds | 11.9 RPG | 9-cat Rank: 55 | 9-cat Totals: 60
- Alperen Sengun – 786 Total Rebounds | 10.3 RPG | 9-cat Rank: 90 | 9-cat Totals: 62
- Rudy Gobert – 785 Total Rebounds | 10.9 RPG | 9-cat Rank: 62 | 9-cat Totals: 46
- Bam Adebayo – 749 Total Rebounds | 9.6 RPG | 9-cat Rank: 46 | 9-cat Totals: 23
Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers
Zubac had an amazing breakout campaign in 2024-25. The big man was a force on the glass all season long. He also provided improved contributions across multiple categories. His scoring improved to 16.8 points per game from a previous 11.7 in 2023-24. His rebounding increased to 12.6 boards per game, an almost 3.5 per outing jump from 9.2. Most notably, Zubac’s assists also climbed to a respectable 2.7 dimes per game from 1.4. The big center was more than just a double-double machine. He was a key cog in the Clippers’ success this season, thanks to a +/- of 6.4, more than doubling his contribution of 2.7 in 2023-24. Zubac cracked the echelon of top-tier big men in fantasy basketball. Expect more of the same, plus some slight improvements, next season.
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Sabonis ended 2024-25 as a top-20 asset in 9-cat scoring formats. He was a nightly triple-double threat thanks to his averages of 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. The Kings’ center led the league in rebounds per game. However, his lack of defensive stats remains a thorn in his fantasy basketball outlook. For the most part, those deficiencies can be overlooked thanks to punting strategies in head-to-head formats. Only he and Nikola Jokic were the centers who averaged six or more dimes per game, making Sabonis a great option for small-ball team builds.
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
KAT saw a renaissance in his fantasy basketball production in 2024-25 thanks to a trade to the New York Knicks. Towns no longer had to share the frontcourt with Rudy Gobert and was free to thrive in the paint. He rejoined the fantasy basketball elite, finishing just outside of the top five in 9-cat scoring formats. Fantasy GMs who drafted him in the second rounds of their fantasy league drafts were rewarded in spades. He was a true multi-cat threat thanks to averages of 24.4 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 2.0 3PG, 3.1 APG and 1.0 SPG. He was a gem in the rotisserie format via his smooth shooting percentages of 52.6% FG and 82.9% FT. As long as Towns remains the Knicks’ starting center next season, the former 3-point shooting champ should continue to thrive both in real and on the box scores.
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
While many pundits preferred Victor Wembanyama to be the first-overall pick in fantasy basketball this season, Jokic ended up proving them wrong. Jokic was a model of near-perfection in the game with no holes or drawbacks in his stat set. The Joker ended the season averaging a triple-double with 29.6 PPG, 12.7 RPG and 10.2 APG. He was a top-10 contributor in points, assists and steals aside from rebounds this season. At 30 years of age, the Serbian big man is showing no signs of slowing down. He should be in top pick consideration in multiple scoring formats for the 2025-26 season.
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Duren is notably the youngest player on this list, adding a dynasty dynamic to his fantasy appeal. He ended the season still shy of his 22nd birthday, and yet the youngster proved to be a force in the paint for the Detroit Pistons. His on-court rapport with Cade Cunningham cannot be overstated. Duren averaged a double-double with 11.8 points and 10.3 rebounds. His 1.1 block rate per game could use some improvement, as well as his scoring, but the Piston has youth on his side. He finished at number 78 in 9-cat scoring per-game rankings, and he should easily crack the top 75 and threaten with occasional top-50 value in 2025-26.
Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers
Allen was one of just 11 players who managed to play in all 82 games in 2024-25. This allowed him to finish inside the top 15 in rankings by totals. Allen made the most of his 28.0 minutes per game on the hardwood, cobbling together averages of 13.5 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 0.9 SPG and 0.9 BPG. Despite his relatively low scoring average, Allen was an impactful player in the FG% category, shooting at a crazy 70.6% clip from the floor last season. It’s also worth noting that he was able to provide substantial fantasy value despite the clear improvement of rising star Evan Mobley. This should be taken as a sign that Allen can be drafted with confidence in the early-middle rounds of fantasy drafts in 2025-26.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo finished the season ranked 55th in 9-cat scoring formats at the end of the season (60th by totals). He was limited only by his lack of 3-point shooting (0.2 3PG) and poor free throw shooting (61.7% FT). The Bucks star remained consistent with his ability to score the ball, pass it and grab rebounds. He was the best forward in the NBA with 57.4 FPPG in points league scoring. There are now rumors swirling regarding his future with the Bucks. Regardless of what jersey Antetokounmpo will be donning in 2025-26, his fantasy production should remain stable and reliable. He isn’t nicknamed the “Greek Freak” for nothing, after all. Giannis’ stat template has been clear for many seasons now, and managers already know what to expect.
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Is Sengun the future center for the Houston Rockets? That remains to be seen as the jury is still out on that one. Unfortunately, Sengun was not cornerstone big man material in fantasy basketball in 2024-25. He was a top-90 player in 9-cat scoring. There are still some glaring holes in his fantasy game, namely his lack of 3-point shooting, less-than-ideal free-throw shooting, high turnover rate, and so-so impact in his categories of strength outside of rebounds. That said, Sengun is still young at 22 and the maturity of his game is still a work in progress. The Rockets’ big man is best regarded as a secondary center target in fantasy drafts. His ability to contribute out-of-position assists (4.9 APG) serves to buoy his fantasy appeal. However, his negatives do not make him an ideal target for small-ball team builds.
Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
Gobert was the best shot blocker on this list with 1.4 BPG. That number has seen a decline over the last few seasons, putting into question whether the Frenchman can remain a cornerstone for boards and blocks. He’s on the wrong side of 30, so there will be more of a downward slope when it comes to Gobert’s stat production in 2025-26. Yes, he’s still able to put up the odd double-double performance while recording two or more blocks in a game, but those instances should come fewer and farther between. It’s time to begin slowly fading Gobert in fantasy big boards. Many younger players can serve as defensive anchors for fantasy teams. Gobert should now be viewed as just a booster in rebounds, blocks, and FG% as he approaches the dusk of his pro career.
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
With Jimmy Butler moving to the Warriors, Adebayo and Tyler Herro ended up inheriting the Miami Heat as their main producers. For what it’s worth, Adebayo was able to do a solid job with averages of 18.1 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, and an improved 1.0 3PG this season. His field goal percentage took a bit of a hit, but those should regress to their mean as he grows more comfortable as a focal point for the Heat on both ends of the floor. The emergence of his 3-point shot is a big deal and cannot be overstated. It adds a fresh facet to his still-evolving stat set. If Adebayo can further improve on this area of his game, he will become a more potent two-way threat in real life and in fantasy hoops.
Photo credit: © Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
