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Ranking the 5 best rebounders in the 2023 NBA Draft

By Holden Walter-Warner

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 17: Oscar Tshiebwe #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats protects the lane form Ed Croswell #5 of the Providence Friars during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 17: Oscar Tshiebwe #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats protects the lane form Ed Croswell #5 of the Providence Friars during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 04: Andrej Jakimovski #23 of the Washington State Cougars an Jaime Jaquez Jr. #24 of the UCLA Bruins battle for a rebound in the game at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on February 4, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 04: Andrej Jakimovski #23 of the Washington State Cougars an Jaime Jaquez Jr. #24 of the UCLA Bruins battle for a rebound in the game at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on February 4, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

4. F Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is another wing who should be a decent rebounder at the next level. Unlike Phillips, he also has the data to prove it.

The former UCLA Bruin is on the old side in terms of prospects in this year’s draft class, which begs questions of potential and ceiling. The wing’s 22nd birthday has come and gone, but not his ability to move his feet and grab those boards.

This year, he averaged 8.2 rebounds per game, impressive for a player who is only 6-foot-6; it ranked fifth in the conference. His 6-foot-10 wingspan serves him well as a rebounding wing, as does his natural feel for the game.

There’s also a certain fearlessness exhibited by Jaquez. He isn’t afraid to get into the trenches with players who are a head taller than him, battling bigs for boards in a way that would make training staffs blush. His hustle is undeniable.

His strength is also helpful in that regard. Jaquez can body smaller players with his 225-pound frame. The only concern is that he was going up against physically smaller players in college – even in the Pac-12 – than he will in the pros.

He left a legacy in Los Angeles of being one of the best rebounders in Bruins history, which is saying something. Able to pull boards on both sides of the court, Jaquez grabbed 577 defensive rebounds and 265 offensive rebounds during his four-year career, ranking 10th and 13th in Pac-12 history, respectively.

Fears about his catch-and-shoot abilities and general scoring propensity and athleticism hinder his draft stock, along with his age. But as a strong rebounding wing with a high IQ, Jaquez should go towards the top of the second round.