Last Updated on May 23, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Los Angeles Lakers have featured some of the greatest rebounders in basketball history. From dominant centers like Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to versatile forwards like Elgin Baylor, the Lakers have consistently controlled the glass throughout multiple championship eras.

Here are the best Los Angeles Lakers rebounders in franchise history.

Elgin Baylor

Position: Forward
Years with Lakers: 1958–1971
Total Rebounds with Lakers: 11,463 (Franchise Record)

Achievements:

  • 11-time NBA All-Star
  • 10-time All-NBA First Team
  • NBA Rookie of the Year
  • Hall of Fame inductee
  • One of the greatest forwards in NBA history

Elgin Baylor remains the greatest rebounder in Lakers history. Despite playing much of his career as a forward, Baylor dominated the glass with elite athleticism, timing, and relentless effort.

Baylor averaged double-digit rebounds for most of his career and produced multiple seasons averaging at least 15 rebounds per game. His ability to rebound in traffic while also serving as one of the league’s best scorers made him one of the NBA’s first true superstars. (StatMuse)

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Position: Center
Years with Lakers: 1975–1989
Total Rebounds with Lakers: 10,279

Achievements:

  • 5 NBA championships with Lakers
  • 3-time NBA MVP with Lakers
  • 19-time NBA All-Star
  • Hall of Fame inductee
  • NBA all-time scoring legend before LeBron James

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar combined elite size, intelligence, and durability to become one of the greatest centers ever. His rebounding consistency helped anchor the Lakers through the Showtime era and multiple championship runs.

Kareem averaged double-digit rebounds in several seasons with Los Angeles and used his length and positioning to dominate defensively for more than a decade. (Land of Basketball)

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Kobe Bryant

Position: Guard
Years with Lakers: 1996–2016
Total Rebounds with Lakers: 7,047

Achievements:

  • 5-time NBA champion
  • NBA MVP
  • 18-time NBA All-Star
  • Hall of Fame inductee
  • Lakers all-time scoring leader

Kobe Bryant is best remembered for his scoring and competitiveness, but he was also an excellent rebounder for a shooting guard. His athleticism and determination allowed him to consistently contribute on the glass throughout his 20-year Lakers career.

Bryant ranks third in franchise history in rebounds, which is remarkable considering he spent his career primarily on the perimeter. (Land of Basketball)

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Magic Johnson

Position: Guard
Years with Lakers: 1979–1991, 1996
Total Rebounds with Lakers: 6,559

Achievements:

  • 5-time NBA champion
  • 3-time NBA MVP
  • Hall of Fame inductee
  • One of the greatest point guards ever

Magic Johnson revolutionized the point guard position with his size and versatility. Standing 6-foot-9, Magic regularly battled for rebounds and immediately pushed the ball in transition to ignite the Showtime offense.

His rebounding ability gave the Lakers a major advantage because he could instantly turn defensive rebounds into fast breaks. (Land of Basketball)

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Wilt Chamberlain

Position: Center
Years with Lakers: 1968–1973
Total Rebounds with Lakers: 6,524

Achievements:

  • NBA champion with Lakers
  • 4-time NBA MVP
  • Hall of Fame inductee
  • One of the greatest rebounders in basketball history

Wilt Chamberlain remains arguably the most dominant rebounder the NBA has ever seen. Although he spent only five seasons with the Lakers, he still ranks among the franchise leaders in total rebounds.

Wilt averaged an incredible 19.2 rebounds per game during his Lakers playoff career and controlled the paint during Los Angeles’ championship run in 1972. (Land of Basketball)

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Shaquille O’Neal

Position: Center
Years with Lakers: 1996–2004
Total Rebounds with Lakers: 5,923

Achievements:

  • 3-time NBA champion with Lakers
  • 3-time NBA Finals MVP with Lakers
  • NBA MVP
  • Hall of Fame inductee

Shaquille O’Neal dominated the paint physically during his Lakers years. His size and strength made him nearly impossible to box out, and he consistently produced huge rebounding numbers throughout the early 2000s dynasty.

Shaq’s interior dominance helped power the Lakers to three consecutive championships alongside Kobe Bryant. (Land of Basketball)

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A.C. Green

Position: Forward
Years with Lakers: 1985–1993, 1999–2000
Total Rebounds with Lakers: 5,759

Achievements:

  • 3-time NBA champion with Lakers
  • NBA ironman record holder
  • One of the most durable players in league history

A.C. Green quietly became one of the best rebounders in Lakers history thanks to his durability, consistency, and effort. He regularly handled difficult defensive assignments while providing strong rebounding support during the Showtime era.

Green posted multiple seasons averaging around nine rebounds per game and became one of the franchise’s most dependable role players. (Land of Basketball)

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