Defensive Rebounds
A rebound grabbed by the defending team after the opponent misses. A defensive rebound ends their possession and starts yours.
The pack lands around 1.9. This season's leaders are out on their own:
- 1 Sasha Vezenkov Olympiacos 4.9
- 2 Chima Moneke Crvena Zvezda 4.8
- 3 Jaylen Hoard Maccabi Tel Aviv 4.8
What Defensive Rebounds measures
Defensive rebounding is the base of a good defense. A team that keeps securing the defensive glass denies second chances, which are among the most damaging things a defense can give up. It is counted apart from offensive rebounds because the skill and positioning are different.
How Defensive Rebounds is calculated
DREB = counted from the official scoresheet
Recorded when a player from the non-shooting team recovers a missed shot or free throw.
DREB: Defensive Rebounds / OREB: Offensive Rebounds / REB: Total Rebounds
The catch
Defensive rebounding is team work as much as skill
Box-outs, help rotations and positioning involve all five defenders. A center with big defensive rebound numbers may be the one the ball is funneled to, while teammates do the boxing out.
Seen in a game
In 2025–26 Sasha Vezenkov led all players at 4.9 defensive rebounds a game for Olympiacos, while Real Madrid secured the most as a team at 23.8 a night. Ending a possession with the rebound is what lets a defense turn a stop straight into offense, instead of scrambling back to guard a second shot.
Common questions
- What is a defensive rebound?
A defensive rebound is securing the opponent's missed shot, which ends their possession and starts your own.
- What does DREB mean in basketball stats?
DREB stands for defensive rebounds. They make up the majority of most players' rebound totals and are the routine end to a stop.
- Why do defensive rebounds matter?
Finishing a stop with the rebound denies the opponent a second chance and lets you push the other way. Teams that control the defensive glass give up fewer easy points.
