X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Three-Man Weave: Fantasy Basketball's Board Men

Wei Sallas looks at three of the NBA's top rebounders in fantasy basketball's Week 15.

With more emphasis put on small ball and three point shooting, those players who have the uncanny ability to round up shots caroming off the basket from every which angle are a prized fantasy basketball commodity. Those relentless scavengers able to average double-digits in rebounding are few, and to find one can give you a unique advantage in weekly and daily games. As the league shifts, and three pointers rain down like a Seattle winter, the traditional big man is finding less and less use in today's NBA. But for those who's game are centered around rebounding, the less percentage shot with higher point value can lead to more value and bigger contracts.

For the first time since the 2000-01 season, five or more people grabbed over a dozen rebounds per game last season. This year, Andre Drummond (15.0), DeAndre Jordan (14.9), DeMarcus Cousins (12.6), Dwight Howard (12.5) and Karl-Anthony Towns (12.0) are all above 12 a game. Each of these five also average double figures in points.

Players like Clint Capela and Steven Adams are also thriving because their respective teams spread the floor out, leaving them to roam undeterred in the middle. Those two, however don't play the minutes to grab enough boards to make this list. For Drummond and Jordan, they are the title holders of The Board Man. Both average either at, or close to 15 rebounds per game and finds points by patrolling the paint, finishing put backs and alley-oops.  Cousins, is a different beast entirely.

Upgrade To VIP: Save 50% on any NBA Premium Pass using discount code SMASH. Win more with our NBA and DFS Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! Jamie Calandro and Dan Palyo lead the RotoBaller team in 2024-25 with exclusive DFS picks, Prop picks and more. Gain VIP access to our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, DFS Cheat Sheets and VIP Chat Rooms. Go Premium, Win More!

 

The Board Men

DeMarcus Cousins

On Monday against the Bulls, Cousins had a triple-double with 44 points, 24 rebounds and 10 assists. The first player since Wilt Chamberlain 50 years ago to post a 40-20-10 game, Cousins is a generational talent who has finished in the top-20 in 9-cat leagues almost every year of his career. He is only one of three current players (Towns and Anthony Davis, the other two) averaging 20 and 10 for their career.

This year, with Davis, Cousins is averaging a career high in rebounds and almost a career best in points.  According to Basketball-Reference, Cousins grabs 19% of the available rebounds when on the floor. He is the ultimate throwback player. A guy you can rely on to get you points at a high percentage and pull down double digit rebounds almost every night. He's also added the three-ball to his arsenal this year, drilling 2.2 a game.

Andre Drummond

Drummond has led the league in rebounds the last two years and this season is no different. His advanced rebounding statistics are staggering. Drummond grabs 36 percent of available defensive rebounds, 16.4 percent on offensive rebounds, 25.9 percent of total rebounds. His defensive rebound and total rebound percentages lead the league. In his five complete seasons in the NBA, he has led in total rebound percentage three out of those five years.

Not only is Drummond averaging a career high in rebounds, he has dramatically improved his free throw shooting. Last year, he shot an embarrassing 38 percent, this year he's up to a respectable 62 percent. Drummond is playing above his projected fifth round value and is a top-30 play this season.

DeAndre Jordan

Lob City may be dead, but Jordan continues to gobble up loose balls like Pac-Man. Since Doc Rivers took over as coach for the Clippers, Jordan has never averaged less than 13.6 rebounds per game. While it looks like he might finally relinquish his field goal percentage crown this season, Jordan is still shooting 66 percent from the field.

Jordan's scoring may be down, but there's one stat you'll never have to worry about. When it is rare for more than five players in the entire league to average more than 12 rebounds a game, finding someone who grabs almost 15 a game is a unique advantage to own. That's what makes Board Men so valuable.

 

More Fantasy Basketball Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Daniel Gafford

to be Limited on Monday
Jabari Smith Jr.

Sidelined on Monday Night
Josh Hart

Available to Play on Monday
Walker Kessler

Out Again on Monday Night
Khris Middleton

Unavailable on Monday
Kyler Murray

Officially Inactive on Monday Night
Johnny Furphy

Ready to Go on Monday
RayJ Dennis

Cleared for Monday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Available on Monday
Dylan Harper

to "Miss Multiple Weeks"
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Sixth at Procore Championship
PGA

Matti Schmid Finishes Tied for 46th at Baycurrent Classic
Keith Mitchell

Finishes Tied for 10th at Baycurrent Classic
Si Woo Kim

Finishes Tied for 21st at Genesis Championship
Mackenzie Hughes

Misses The Cut at Sanderson Farms Championship
Max Greyserman

Finishes Second at Baycurrent Classic
Austin Eckroat

Finishes Tied for 56th at Baycurrent Classic
Luke Clanton

Finishes Tied for 56th at Bank of Utah Championship
Brandon Miller

Out At Least Two More Weeks
Morgan Barron

Out Week-to-Week
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Don't Think Terry McLaurin Will Play in Week 10
Jayden Daniels

to be "Out for a While" With Dislocated Elbow
Adam Lowry

Ready for Season Debut Tuesday
Pierre-Luc Dubois

to Miss "Extended Period of Time"
Omarion Hampton

Not Expected to Return to Practice Until After Week 12 Bye
Robert Thomas

Set to Return Monday
Quinn Hughes

Available Monday
Justin Brazeau

Remains Out Monday
Norman Powell

Upgraded To Questionable For Matchup With Clippers
William Nylander

Rejoins Maple Leafs Lineup Monday
Austin Reaves

Sidelined On Monday
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Sitting Out On Monday
Josh Hart

Questionable Against Wizards
Mitchell Robinson

to Miss Monday's Matchup for Rest
Zach LaVine

to Play Monday Despite Questionable Tag
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Available for Kings on Monday Night
Zach Edey

Assigned to G-League, Expected Back Soon
Keaton Wallace

Practices, Tuesday's Status Remains Uncertain
Pete Alonso

Officially Opts Out of his Contract With Mets
Alex Bregman

Opts Out of his Contract With Boston
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz on the Open Market This Winter
Cody Bellinger

Becomes Free Agent After Opting Out
Robert Suarez

Opts Out, Becomes Free Agent
Kyle Larson

Wins His Second NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix
Ryan Blaney

Concludes the 2025 Season with A Win at Phoenix
William Byron

Strong Championship Effort Ends With Late-Race Flat-Tire Crash
Quinshon Judkins

Browns Optimistic Quinshon Judkins Can Play in Week 10
Andrew Nembhard

Ruled Out Again on Monday
T.J. McConnell

Set to Miss Another Game on Monday
Tucker Kraft

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Denny Hamlin

Overtime Four-Tire Call Costs Denny Hamlin the Championship
Chase Briscoe

Championship Bid Never Really Started After Two Tire Failures
Brad Keselowski

Nearly Steals Phoenix Race
David Onama

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Steve Garcia

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Ante Delija

Suffers His First UFC Loss
CFB

Dylan Raiola Suffers Season-Ending Injury
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Gets Knockout Win
Themba Gorimbo

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 110
Jayden Daniels

Suffers Dislocated Elbow on Sunday Night
Jeremiah Wells

Gets Back In The Win Column
Yadier del Valle

Remains Undefeated
Jayden Daniels

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Jayden Daniels' Left Arm, MRI to Come
Jaelan Phillips

Gets Dealt to Eagles for a Third-Round Pick
Isaac Dulgarian

Cut By UFC Following Submission Loss
Daniel Frunza

Still Winless In The UFC
Charles Radtke

Dominates Daniel Frunza
Allan Nascimento

Gets Submission Win
Philipp Kurashev

Stays Hot on Sunday
Cody Durden

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Lucas Raymond

Extends Point Streak With a Goal
Jake Guentzel

Notches Two Points as Lightning Continue Winning Streak
Leo Carlsson

Establishes New Career High With Six-Game Point Streak
Jonathan Huberdeau

Guns Down Flyers
Matthew Schaefer

Has Historic Multi-Goal Game
Jaylen Warren

Records First Career Two-Touchdown Game in Week 9 Win Over Colts
Michael Pittman Jr.

Leads Colts With Nine Catches in Week 9 Loss at Pittsburgh
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Continues Historic Pace, Racks Up 129 Yards in Week 9 Win
Tory Horton

Catches Two Touchdowns in Week 9 Win at Washington
Sam Darnold

Nearly Flawless in Dominant Sunday Night Win at Washington
Jayden Daniels

Suffers Gruesome Left-Arm Injury on Sunday Night
Kyren Williams

Goes Over 100 Rushing Yards, Scores in Dominant Win Over Saints
Davante Adams

Continues Red-Zone Dominance in Week 9 Win
Dalton Kincaid

Leads Bills in Receiving Yards in Week 9 Win
Geno Smith

Throws Four Touchdown Passes in Week 9
DJ Moore

Scores Two Touchdowns, Involved in Several Ways Sunday
Kyle Monangai

Capitalizes on Expanded Role in Week 9
Quinn Hughes

Returns to Practice Sunday
Roman Josi

Moved to Injured Reserve
Max Scherzer

Doesn't Plan on Retiring
Michael King

Becomes Free Agent After Declining Mutual Option
Cole Smith

to Miss 3-6 Weeks
Ryan Reaves

Placed on Injured Reserve
NYI

Max Shabanov Not Close to Returning
Tyson Foerster

Won't Play Sunday
Sean Couturier

Returns to Flyers Lineup Sunday
Austin Cindric

is A Driver to Avoid for Phoenix DFS Lineups
Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Named World Series MVP
Alex Bowman

Could Alex Bowman be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Phoenix?
Noah Gragson

Should DFS Players Roster Noah Gragson At Phoenix?
Erik Jones

Is Erik Jones Worth Rostering for DFS at Phoenix?
Connor McDavid

Records Three Assists in Saturday's Win
Michael McDowell

an Easy Recommendation for DFS at Phoenix
Chase Briscoe

Probably Won't Win the Title
Joey Logano

Could Play Spoiler in Championship Battle at Phoenix
Tyler Reddick

Seeking to End Winless Drought, but Probably Won't Have the Speed
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Looks to Protect Top-10 Points Finish at Phoenix
Brad Keselowski

Hasn't Been Fast at Phoenix With RFK Racing
Daniel Suarez

With Nothing at Stake, Expect Little From Daniel Suarez
Kyle Busch

Qualifies Well, but Will Probably Finish Worse Than he Starts
Chris Buescher

Ryan Preece has a Shot to Overtake Chris Buescher as RFK Racing's Lead Driver
Austin Dillon

Looks to Avoid Finishing Last in NASCAR Playoffs
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Might be a Worthy DFS Option
Shohei Ohtani

to Start Game 7 of World Series
Alejandro Kirk

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Alejandro Kirk's Hand
Alejandro Kirk

Goes for X-Rays After Being Hit on the Hand
Gleyber Torres

Undergoes Sports-Hernia Surgery
Bo Bichette

Not Expecting to Need Offseason Knee Surgery
George Springer

Back in Leadoff Spot for Game 6 of World Series
David Onama

Set For UFC Vegas 110 Main Event
Steve Garcia

Returns At UFC Vegas 110
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Set For Co-Main Event
Ante Delija

In Search For His Second UFC Win
Themba Gorimbo

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 110
Jeremiah Wells

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Yadier del Valle

Looks To Remain Undefeated
CFB

Arizona State Quarterback Sam Leavitt Out for the Season
Isaac Dulgarian

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Daniel Frunza

Looks For His First UFC Win
George Springer

"Strong Possibility" That George Springer Returns in Game 6 of World Series
Bryce Miller

Not Expected to Need Elbow Surgery
Washington Nationals

Nationals Finalizing a Deal to Hire Blake Butera as Next Manager
CFB

Arch Manning Listed as Questionable for Vanderbilt Matchup
CFB

Arion Carter Listed as Questionable Ahead of Oklahoma Matchup
Minnesota Twins

Twins Name Derek Shelton as Their New Manager
CFB

Jordyn Tyson Questionable for Iowa State Matchup with Hamstring Injury

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP