Top 5 Washington Wizards Players with the Most Rebounds of All Time

Wes Unseld is one of only two players in NBA history to achieve the remarkable feat of winning both the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season, a success shared only with Wilt Chamberlain. Known for his dominant presence on the court, Unseld ranks 13th all-time in career rebounds in the NBA, showcasing his exceptional skills as a big man. His single-game rebounding performances are legendary, with a staggering four games where he secured at least 30 rebounds, including a standout 32-rebound game against the Celtics in 1969. Throughout his career, Unseld maintained an impressive average of 14.0 rebounds per game, contributing significantly to the success of his team. Notably, he played a key role in leading his team to their only NBA championship in franchise history.

1. Wes Unseld – 13,769 Rebounds

2. Elvin Hayes – 9,305 Rebounds

The Big E had a remarkable career with the then-Baltimore Bullets in addition to stints with the Rockets. Hayes was an All-Star in each of his eight seasons with the club and averaged 13.1 rebounds in that span. Before he joined the Bullets, Hayes had a 35-rebound game with the Rockets. He had a 32-rebound game with Washington in 1973 in a win over the Hawks and went on to win the rebounding title that season behind an incredible 18.1 boards per game. Hayes and Unseld combined to form one of the most imposing frontcourt tandems of their era.

3. Gus Johnson – 7,243 Rebounds

Johnson was one of the key players during the formative years of the Bullets’ franchise. A five-time All-Star, Johnson earned MVP votes in two different seasons. Johnson had 30 or more rebounds in a game three times while with the club, including a 34-rebound game against the Lakers in 1966. He averaged double-digit rebounds in each of his first eight years in the league, headlined by his 1971 season when he pulled down 17.1 boards per game. Johnson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.

4. Walt Bellamy – 5,438 Rebounds

The 1962 Rookie of the Year was only with the franchise for parts of five seasons but he was a force on the glass and his accomplishments still stand the test of time. Bellamy came out of the gate with a remarkable season in which he averaged 19.0 rebounds per game. He pulled down 25 or more rebounds in a game 33 times and his career-high was set in 1964 with 37 boards against the St. Louis Hawks. Bellamy also had stints with the Hawks, Knicks, Pistons and Jazz during his 14-year Hall of Fame career.

5. Gregory Ballard – 4,094 Rebounds

Ballard played eight seasons for the Washington Bullets and was a consistent rebounder, which fueled his placement on the franchise’s all-time leaderboard in that category. He ranks fourth in franchise history in games played behind Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes and Bradley Beal. Bellamy had several impressive individual rebounding performances while with Washington including a 20-rebound game against the Mavericks in 1985.