Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to solidify his legacy with the Milwaukee Bucks as he approaches the start of the 2024-25 season, boasting an impressive total of 7,779 rebounds. Drafted as the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Antetokounmpo made a significant impact in the 2016-17 season, winning the Kia Most Improved Player Award and earning his first All-Star selection. His remarkable career includes two Kia MVP Awards and six seasons of top-five MVP voting. Notably, he has averaged at least 10 rebounds per game for the past seven seasons, with his peak performance occurring during the 2019-20 season when he averaged 13.6 rebounds per game.
In historical context, NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the number one pick in the 1969 Draft and made an immediate impact, becoming an All-Star and Rookie of the Year in his debut season. He went on to win the MVP Award three times in four years and averaged 15.3 rebounds over his 467 games with the Bucks.
Bob Dandridge, another prominent figure in Bucks history, accumulated 4,497 rebounds during his time with the team, earning three All-Star selections and averaging at least 7.7 rebounds in his first four seasons. Noteworthy is his standout season in 1975-76 when he posted averages of 21.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
Marques Johnson, selected third overall in the 1977 Draft, made an immediate impact, averaging a remarkable 19.5 points and 10.6 rebounds during his rookie year. Although he never averaged more than 7.6 rebounds in a season thereafter, he still managed to secure four All-Star appearances with the Bucks.
Finally, Andrew Bogut, the first overall pick in the 2005 Draft, showed promise as a strong rebounder during his tenure in Milwaukee, averaging 9.3 rebounds over 408 games.
The achievements of these players highlight the Bucks’ storied history and their commitment to developing talent that not only excels in scoring but also in critical areas like rebounding. With Antetokounmpo leading the way, the future appears bright for the Bucks as they continue to build on their legacy.
This article serves as a celebration of the remarkable players who have graced the Bucks organization and their significant contributions to the game. Their successes not only bring pride to the franchise but inspire future generations of players.