The Toronto Raptors have not existed for a very long time, nor have they been consistent championship contenders for most of that tenure. However, they have still seen many star players put up solid performances in that iconic purple jersey and their new modern look.
While guards like Vince Carter and Kyle Lowry have made history for themselves with Toronto, the collection of big men that have called Scotiabank Arena home is actually fairly impressive. As a result, the Raptors’ rebounding all-time records feature some surprising names.
Be them Hall of Fame players who spent most of their careers in Toronto or complementary stars who kept chopping wood as a role player for the better part of a decade, the Raptors were home to some solid glass-crashers in their NBA history.
These are the 10 most excellent rebounders in franchise history, going off of the current leaders in total rebounds. Which former players are higher than you think? Which former Raptors standout set a record that is unlikely to be topped within the next half-decade?
Top 10 rebounders in Toronto Raptors franchise history.
No. 10-7
10. Morris Peterson (2,064)
9. Vince Carter (2,091)
8. Andrea Bargnani (2,095)
7. Pascal Siakam (2,522)
Peterson made his name as a two-way sniper that ranked highly on Toronto’s scoring list, but he managed to ride his durability and consistency to a Top 10 ranking. Names like Serge Ibaka, Charles Oakley, and Patrick Patterson can’t hold a candle to Peterson in this area.
Carter worked his way into the top 10, as his high-flying styles helped him snag his fair share of rebounds during his time. If Carter played in today’s positionless, more high-octane era at the peak of his powers, he could have risen even higher up these ranks.
Toronto Raptors: Pascal Siakam keeps rising up the ranks.
Much has been written about how Bargnani did not live up to the hype after being the No. 1 pick in the draft, but he wouldn’t see his name this far up so many Raptors’ record charts if he was a complete failure. Bargnani was an effective scorer and post player (within reason) for nearly a decade.
Siakam figures to move into the top five relatively soon, as he took ownership of the Raptors’ center spot last season. After coming into the league as a stringy stretch forward, Siakam has made himself an improving All-NBA player worthy of every accolade bestowed upon him.
No. 6-4
6. DeMar DeRozan (2,739)
5. Amir Johnson (2,836)
4. Antonio Davis (2,839)
DeRozan’s legendary name is at the top of most Raptors lists, as the points and games played lists have No. 10 fixed firmly at the top of those rankings. The mid-range king was also able to make his name felt on both ends as a respectable glass-cleaner on the wing.
DeRozan averaged 4.5 rebounds per game at the peak of his powers while very rarely missing large chunks of time due to injury. While he never got to slip a ring on his finger, there would not be a soul in Toronto or anywhere else in Raptors fandom that would object to his No. 10 being retired before names like Carter and Chris Bosh.
Toronto Raptors: DeMar DeRozan is a tremendous rebounder.
Johnson quietly put together a very nice career in Toronto, averaging 6.3 rebounds per game in six seasons despite playing alongside Bosh for large chunks of that time. One of the most altruistic players in Raptors history, Johnson left his mark on the franchise.
Davis, who arrived in Toronto at the turn of the millennium following his stint in Indiana, actually made an All-Star team at a time when Toronto found it challenging to get their players promoted on a national stage. Davis was a double-double machine who was one of Carter’s best teammates.
No. 3-1
3. Kyle Lowry (2,954)
2. Jonas Valanciunas (3,961)
1. Chris Bosh (4,776)
How many franchises can claim to have a 6-0 point guard who arrived in town at age 26 in the top three on their rebounding list? Lowry’s ability to impact the game showed up in this area, as his penchant for triple-doubles was uncommon for a guard with his physical limitations.
Valanciunas is another Raptor who had to be jettisoned to make a title run, but he still built a nice legacy for himself in Toronto. Still a well above-average starting center in this league, the Lithuanian was a rock on many of Dwane Casey’s best teams over the years.
Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh reigns supreme.
Unless you’ve been living without internet access on a remote Micronesian island chain for the last 15 seasons, the Raptors and Bosh had something of a messy divorce when he left for the Heat. While some aren’t over it, Bosh at his best was one of the best players Toronto ever had.
The first player who played the bulk of his career with the Raptors to earn induction into the Hall of Fame, Bosh ranks high on the scoring list in addition to outclassing even other future Hall of Famers in rebounding. Siakam’s goal for the next few seasons should be breaking all of Bosh’s records.