Rebounding is an important ability on the basketball court and is vital to a team’s success. Teams that are particularly adept at rebounding the ball can limit their opponents’ offensive possessions and force second-chance scoring opportunities. While it’s usually centers and power forwards that collect the most rebounds, it’s no surprise that LeBron James, a versatile small forward, is the all-time leader in rebounds for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers.
Here’s a look at the rebounding prowess and careers of James and the Cavaliers’ four other all-time rebound leaders.
1. LeBron James (6,190)
Playing his 22nd season in 2024-25, James has firmly cemented himself as one of the best all-around players in NBA history. He is the league’s all-time scoring leader, a 20-time All-NBA team member, and four-time MVP. He has also earned six All-Defensive team selections. James averaged 27.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in 11 seasons with the Cavaliers. He averaged at least 5.5 rebounds in each of those 11 seasons and a career-best 8.6 rebounds in consecutive seasons in 2016-17 and 2017-18, his last two years with the team before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James’ single game career high for rebounds is 20, which he recorded during the Lakers’ 145-144 double overtime win over the Golden State Warriors in the 2023-24 season. He had 19 rebounds in a 2007-08 game with the Cavaliers and exceeded 15 rebounds nine other times.
As of March 10, 2025, James ranked 25th in NBA history with 11,661 career rebounds. He is also the Cavaliers’ all-time leader in games (849), field goals (8,369), three-point field goals (1,251), free throws (5,130), and assists (6,228).
2. Zydrunas Ilgauskas (5,904)
A beloved 7-foot-3 center from Lithuania, Zydrunas “Big Z” Ilgauskas is second in Cavaliers history in rebounds with 5,904, but averaged slightly more per game (7.7) than James (7.3). Ilgauskas is also Cleveland’s all-time leader in offensive rebounds (2,336) and blocks (1,269). Only one other former Cavalier—Tristan Thompson—has more than 2,000 offensive rebounds. And only two others—John “Hot Rod” Williams and Larry Nance—have more than 1,000 rebounds.
Selected by the Cavaliers with the 20th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, Ilgauskas made the 1997-98 All-Rookie team and was a two-time All-Star in 12 seasons in Cleveland. He had one of his best offensive seasons in 2002-03, averaging a career-best 17.2 points, but had his best rebounding season in 2007-08 with 9.3 points per game. Big Z had 18 games with more than 15 rebounds, including a career high 22 rebounds in Cleveland’s 78-74 loss to the Phoenix Suns in November 2002. Anderson Varejao and Rick Roberson share the single-game team record with 25 rebounds.
3. Tristan Thompson (5,659)
A 13-year NBA veteran who is playing his 11th season in Cleveland in 2024-25, Thompson ranks third in total rebounds (5,659) and second in offensive rebounds. He had just 70 rebounds through 33 appearances with minimal playing time in the 2024-25 season. The fourth overall pick of Cleveland in the 2011 NBA Draft, Thompson was a member of the All-Rookie team in 2011-12 and finished top-10 in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2014-15 and 2015-16. His rebounds per game average (8.1) is higher than both Ilgauskas and James.
Thompson averaged more than 10 rebounds per game in 2018-19 and 2019-20, the latter of which was the best year of his career, as he also had career-best totals in points (12) and assists (2.1) per game. Thompson tied Ilgauskas’ single game best for rebounds with 22 in a January 2020 game against the New York Knicks. He has four other games with at least 20 rebounds.
4. Brad Daugherty (5,227)
The Cavaliers’ first overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, Brad Daugherty played his entire eight-year career in Cleveland, averaging 19 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. The 7-foot center out of the University of North Carolina was a member of the 1986-87 NBA All-Rookie team and was an All-Star in five of the next six seasons. He averaged a career-best 10.9 rebounds per game in the 1990-91 season and 2.6 offensive rebounds per game in 1991-92 and 1993-94.
Daugherty ranks second all-time in rebounds for a single game with 24, recorded during an 87-79 loss to the Sacramento Kings in March 1991. He recorded a career-high nine offensive rebounds in a February 1993 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Daugherty was plagued by back issues during his career and was ultimately forced to retire due to injury following the 1993-94 season.
5. John “Hot Rod” Williams (4,669)
John “Hot Rod” Williams, a second-round pick of the Cavaliers in the 1985 NBA Draft, ranks fifth in rebounds with 4,669, including 1,620 offensive rebounds. The 6-foot-11 center played nine seasons in Cleveland, averaging 12.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. He averaged a Cavaliers-best 8.1 rebounds in 1989-98, but exceeded that with 8.3 per game with the Phoenix Suns in 1996-97.
Williams had a career high 18 rebounds in three games with the Cavaliers, which includes a 95-88 win over the Dallas Mavericks in April 1994.