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.
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)
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