Ideas around rebounding in the NBA have changed a lot in recent years.
It used to be far more common in a star player’s profile. Think former Houston Rockets star (?) Charles Barkley. His game was partly predicated on his ability to create easy opportunities in transition, which was partly predicated on his ability to grab boards.
Think Andre Drummond. He was kind of not that good at a lot of basketball stuff, but he was among the best rebounders in NBA history, and that was enough for him to earn an All-NBA nod.
That type of star doesn’t exist anymore.
Go look at the NBA’s rebounds per game leaders. Perhaps Nikola Jokic fits the Barkley archetype, but if anyone wanted to call him the “Round Mound of Rebound”, it would be weird. The Massive King of Passing would be more appropriate.
Otherwise, the list is littered with guys who you’d just expect to get rebounds. Nobody really sticks out – it’s just a bunch of guys grabbing 10ish rebounds per game because that’s their function. It’s less that they’re the league’s best rebounders, and more that the league’s best rebounders often don’t have enough ancillary skills to keep themselves on the floor.
Enter Oscar Tshiebwe.
Rockets build on identity with Tshiebwe signing
Rebounding from individual players has been devalued, but for a while, even team rebounding had lost some luster. Teams were largely opting to pass on even attempting to corral offensive boards in favor of defending transition.
Not the Rockets.
Their 38.8 Offensive Rebounding % in 2025-26 led the league by a country mile. Their overall 54.9 Rebounding % was league-best as well.
So why not add the best rebounder in G-League history?
Tshiebwe’s robust 19.0 rebounds per game in 2024-25 were the best mark ever recorded. This man can collect a board.
He’s only 6’8″, but he’s 255 pounds of pure granite. His 7’3″ wingspan is also helpful. Tshiebwe is not afraid to throw his weight around, and few players can outmuscle him.
So what should the Rockets expect from him?
Tshiebwe can find a role with the Rockets
Rebounds!
Jokes aside: Clint Capela wasn’t great last year. It was fun to see him back with the organization, and he wasn’t…awful…but the Rockets should be in the market for a better third-string, “break in case of Steven Adams-related emergency” backup big.
Tshiebwe has a chance to be that guy. At his size, his lateral quickness is subpar. He can be a defensive liability, although securing the glass is part of defense too, and Tshiebwe is one of the best in the NBA on that front.
That’s one thing that has always mattered.
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