Last Updated on May 22, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Brooklyn Nets franchise has featured several dominant rebounders throughout its ABA and NBA history. From hard-nosed interior enforcers like Buck Williams and Billy Paultz to versatile modern big men such as Brook Lopez, rebounding has played an important role across multiple eras of Nets basketball.

Here are the best rebounders in Brooklyn Nets franchise history.

Buck Williams

Position: Forward/Center
Years with Nets: 1981–1989
Total Rebounds with Nets: 7,576 (Franchise Record)

Achievements:

  • NBA Rookie of the Year
  • 3-time NBA All-Star
  • All-NBA Second Team selection
  • One of the NBA’s best rebounders during the 1980s

Buck Williams remains the greatest rebounder in Nets franchise history by a wide margin. Strong, physical, and remarkably consistent, Williams controlled the glass throughout the 1980s for New Jersey.

He averaged at least 12 rebounds per game during each of his first six NBA seasons and quickly became the foundation of the franchise’s frontcourt. Williams combined rebounding toughness with durability, helping him build a lead atop the Nets’ all-time rebounding leaderboard that still stands today. (Basketball Reference)

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Billy Paultz

Position: Center
Years with Nets: 1970–1975
Total Rebounds with Nets: 4,544

Achievements:

  • ABA champion
  • 2-time ABA All-Star
  • One of the top centers in ABA history

Billy Paultz was one of the original stars of the Nets franchise during the ABA years. Nicknamed “The Whopper,” Paultz brought size, toughness, and strong rebounding production to the team during its early success.

He averaged double-digit rebounds for multiple seasons and played a major role in helping the Nets become contenders before the NBA merger. Paultz remains one of the franchise’s most underrated big men. (Sportsbook Review)

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Brook Lopez

Position: Center
Years with Nets: 2008–2017
Total Rebounds with Nets: 4,005

Achievements:

  • NBA All-Star
  • Franchise scoring leader
  • One of the best offensive centers in team history

Brook Lopez developed into one of the most productive centers the Nets have ever had. Although he became more known later in his career for floor spacing and shot-blocking, Lopez was also a highly effective rebounder during his Nets tenure.

His durability early in his career helped him quickly climb the franchise rankings, and his combination of scoring and rebounding made him one of the defining Nets players of the modern era. (NBA)

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Derrick Coleman

Position: Forward/Center
Years with Nets: 1990–1995
Total Rebounds with Nets: 3,690

Achievements:

  • NBA Rookie of the Year
  • NBA All-Star
  • All-NBA Third Team selection
  • One of the most talented big men of the 1990s

Derrick Coleman entered the NBA with enormous expectations after being selected first overall in the 1990 NBA Draft, and he immediately became one of the Nets’ most productive players.

Coleman combined elite offensive skill with strong rebounding numbers, averaging double-digit rebounds in several seasons. At his peak, he was among the most versatile power forwards in basketball. (NBA)

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Mike Gminski

Position: Center
Years with Nets: 1980–1988
Total Rebounds with Nets: 3,671

Achievements:

  • Reliable starting center during the 1980s
  • One of the franchise’s steadiest rebounders
  • Productive two-way interior player

Mike Gminski quietly became one of the top rebounders in franchise history during his long Nets tenure. The former Duke standout steadily improved throughout the 1980s and became a dependable interior presence alongside Buck Williams.

Gminski consistently averaged strong rebounding numbers once he entered the starting lineup full-time and helped anchor the Nets’ frontcourt for nearly a decade. (NBA)

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Jason Kidd

Position: Guard
Years with Nets: 2001–2008
Total Rebounds with Nets: 3,662

Achievements:

  • NBA Hall of Famer
  • Multiple-time NBA All-Star
  • Led Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals
  • One of the greatest rebounding guards ever

Jason Kidd is one of the greatest rebounding guards in NBA history. Despite standing just 6-foot-4, Kidd consistently battled bigger players for rebounds and often ignited fast breaks immediately afterward.

His rebounding instincts, anticipation, and competitiveness made him a triple-double threat every night and helped transform the Nets into Eastern Conference champions during the early 2000s. (NBA)

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Jayson Williams

Position: Center
Years with Nets: 1992–1999
Total Rebounds with Nets: 3,328

Achievements:

  • NBA All-Star
  • One of the league’s best offensive rebounders during his prime
  • Elite energy player

Jayson Williams became known for his relentless hustle and rebounding intensity throughout the 1990s. He consistently attacked the offensive glass and brought physical energy every night.

At his peak, Williams ranked among the NBA’s best rebounders per game and gave the Nets a physical identity in the paint. (Basketball Reference)

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Julius Erving

Position: Forward
Years with Nets: 1973–1976
Total Rebounds with Nets: 2,738

Achievements:

  • 2-time ABA champion
  • 3-time ABA MVP
  • Hall of Fame inductee
  • One of basketball’s greatest all-around players

Julius Erving is remembered primarily for his scoring and athletic brilliance, but he was also an outstanding rebounder during his Nets years. Dr. J regularly averaged around 10 rebounds per game while leading the franchise to championships in the ABA.

His ability to dominate every area of the game made him one of the most complete stars in basketball history. (Reddit)

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