The college basketball season has already delivered a strong mix of marquee matchups, breakout stars, and early surprise teams. But no matter how many shooters stretch the floor or how fast offenses play, rebounding still separates contenders from pretenders. The teams that last into March are usually the ones that win the fight on the glass.
This year’s crop of rebounders is especially strong. Plenty of big men across the country are putting up gaudy numbers, but the following five have separated themselves as the early leaders in the race to own the boards.
Here are our Top 5 rebounders so far this season.
5. Reuben Chinyelu – Florida Gators
Florida knew exactly what it was getting in Reuben Chinyelu, and he has taken another big step forward after last year’s national title run. The 6-foot-10 junior from Nigeria has earned a full-time starting role for Todd Golden and is making the most of it, averaging 11.2 rebounds per game to go with 10 points.
Chinyelu has now posted three straight double-digit rebounding performances, including 11 against UConn and a monster 14-board effort against Duke. He played limited minutes last season yet still produced efficiently, and now with consistent playing time, he’s quickly becoming one of the SEC’s most dominant interior forces.
4. Andrew McKeever – Saint Mary’s Gaels
Saint Mary’s has a habit of turning overlooked big men into elite rebounders, and Andrew McKeever is the latest example. The 7-foot-2 sophomore has quietly developed into one of the most reliable glass-eaters in the country, averaging 10.6 rebounds per game.
His best showing so far came in a win over Davidson, where he posted 15 points and 13 rebounds while controlling the paint from start to finish. The Gaels traditionally hang their hat on defense and toughness, and McKeever fits the mold perfectly. If he keeps rising, he may become the best rebounder the program has ever had.
3. Caleb Wilson – North Carolina Tar Heels
Caleb Wilson’s freshman year is off to a loud start, even if it has flown under the national radar thanks to a stacked rookie class nationwide. The 6-foot-10 forward is averaging 19.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, giving UNC a dynamic two-way presence who looks older than his years.
Wilson has already recorded multiple double-doubles, including a dominant outing with 20 points and 14 rebounds in a win over Georgetown. The Tar Heels have surged to an 8-1 record, and if anyone is going to keep Duke honest in the ACC race, Wilson’s emergence will be a major reason why.
2. Duke Brennan – Villanova Wildcats
Duke Brennan enters mid-December as the country’s top statistical rebounder, pulling down 12 boards per game while adding 10.6 points. The 6-foot-10 Arizona native has been a constant presence around the rim for Villanova, stacking up double-doubles and controlling possessions on both ends.
Brennan logged 13 rebounds in back-to-back games against Duquesne and La Salle, and added another double-double against Penn. Villanova has opened with seven wins in nine games, and Brennan’s interior production is giving the Wildcats the stability they’ve missed in recent seasons. If they return to NCAA Tournament form, he will be a big reason why.
1. JT Toppin – Texas Tech Red Raiders
JT Toppin has been an absolute force. The 6-foot-9 junior is averaging 11.5 rebounds through eight games while playing more than 33 minutes per contest. His athleticism jumps off the screen, and his motor never dips.
Toppin grabbed 15 rebounds in a blowout win over LSU and hauled in 16 against New Orleans. When the Big 12 schedule picks up, the nightly battles will get tougher, but Toppin looks capable of handling everything the conference will throw at him. If Texas Tech plans to hang near the top of the league standings, Toppin’s production is going to be central to that push.
Others Worth Mentioning
• Baba Miller – Cincinnati Bearcats
• Trey Kaufman-Renn – Purdue Boilermakers
• Carson Towt – Notre Dame Fighting Irish
• Delrecco Gillespie – Kent State Golden Flashes
These players all continue to carve out an identity as elite rebounders and will play enormous roles as conference season gets underway. The competition on the glass is only going to intensify, and we’ll soon see who can maintain this pace, who rises, and who gets overtaken as the season heats up.