2024 Elite Rebounders
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There are few things more important in basketball than earning your offense second-chances, and ending the opponent’s offensive possession. To be an elite rebounder one must give consistent effort, but also have talent for tracking down the ball. Let’s talk…
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Continue ReadingThere are few things more important in basketball than earning your offense second-chances, and ending the opponent’s offensive possession. To be an elite rebounder one must give consistent effort, but also have talent for tracking down the ball. Let’s talk about five sophomores who have exhibited those traits in pursuit of the basketball this summer:
Will Cooper Will Cooper 6'6" | SF Millard South | 2024 State NE | Millard South
I’m not sure where OSA’s 15U adidas team would be without Cooper playing the 5 for them. As one of the few players on that team with size, his rebounding is extremely valuable for them. He has excellent feel for the game regardless of the role he is put in, and he uses that basketball intelligence to track down rebounds. There are many times he is moving towards the eventual destination of the missed shot before it even clanks off the rim. When he is out of position for the rebound, he can still compete for it and win many of those battles using his size and solid hands.
Kevin Stubblefield Kevin Stubblefield 6'4" | SF Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE | Omaha Westside
Stubblefield uses his leaping ability and physicality to win battles on the glass. He crashes hard on every shot, giving him a chance to make an impact in that area almost every possession. The most valuable aspect of his rebounding prowess is that it often leads to easy (for him) putbacks. He is quick off his feet, which makes it difficult to beat him to the rebound, and even more difficult to contest his follow-up attempt.
Alec Wilkins Alec Wilkins 6'2" | SG Gretna | 2024 State NE | Gretna (pictured)
Wilkins is one of the better competitors in this class, always bringing energy and effort. He does not possess the size that the first two players do, but he wins far more battles than he loses. It is important to point out that great rebounding ability does not always lead to that individual securing the rebound. Wilkins always locates his man, puts a body on him, and pursues the ball with everything he’s got and that is everything you can ask of a player when the shot goes up.
Ky’Aire Gregory | Omaha North
Gregory has been Team Factory Gold’s best rebounder this summer, and there is not a close second. He is an excellent leaper, and high points nearly everything. That combination is what fuels his talent on the glass. Additionally, Gregory has strong, reliable hands. Good luck wrestling the ball from him. There is work to be done in the other aspects of his game, but his rebounding is a strong building block.
Malakai Burns | Millard North
The second guard to make this list, and a worthy mention. Burns is a terrific athlete, both horizontally and vertically. He does not relentless crash the boards like some of these other players. He is more selective in his pursuits. But when he is not accounted for on the miss, he will make you pay. You’ll see him fly in from the perimeter on the shot release, and sky high for the rebound when it is in his vicinity a few times per game.