Returning Leaders: Board Crashers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rebounding is one of the most valuable traits in basketball, and Kentucky returns multiple high-end producers on the glass this season. The state brings back a strong group of interior players with size, motor and feel who consistently generate extra possessions and impact games at the rim. Each of the players on this list averaged double-digit rebounds a year ago and half finished inside the top 10 in the state. Players had to appear in at least 13 games last season to qualify. Here are the top returning rebounders in Kentucky heading into the 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tyler Weddington","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Phelps","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69095f2f228f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tyler Weddington led the Bluegrass in rebounding last season at 16.8 per game, the only player in the state to average above 15. He is a true double-double producer. He posted 17 rebounds in the Hatfield McCoy Shootout and grabbed 23 in a win over Mingo Central (WV). Weddington tracks shots early, stays engaged in position battles, and consistently wins space on second jump. He finds the ball, and he wins the ball. He projects again as one of the top rebounders in Kentucky this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2497743"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690a95566b397"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2497743' first='Caiden' last='Smith'] finished fourth in the state last season in rebounding at 12.8 per game. He's a reliable double-double threat, also averaging 11.2 points a year ago. His size, length and vertical allow him to consistently win battles on the glass against opposing frontcourt players. He plays on one of the best rebounding teams in the state, and one of his teammates appears on this list as well. Smith provides a strong presence around the rim and attacks with force.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Preston Blake","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Nicholas County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690a95566b435"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Preston Blake joins [player_tooltip player_id='2497743' first='Caiden' last='Smith'] from the Bluejackets on this list after finishing sixth in the state last season with 12.3 rebounds per game. He nearly averaged a double-double, posting 9.9 points a game. Blake plays with strength and physicality, consistently putting a body on his matchup and pursuing every rebound. His football background translates to the hardwood, allowing him to leverage that same power and physical contact to secure boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Evan McIlvoy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Washington County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690a95566b4ca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Evan McIlvoy was one of the most productive interior players in the state last season, averaging 16.7 points per game while finishing eighth in Kentucky in rebounding at 11.7 per contest, leading his team in both categories. He's an outstanding presence in the paint with good footwork, strong feel, and plays with physicality and aggression. He embraces contact and uses it to his advantage on the glass, consistently crashing for rebounds on both ends, including second chance opportunities on the offensive boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2726831"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690a95566b51a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2726831' first='Jake' last='Feldhaus'] can do just about everything on the floor, and rebounding is one of those strengths. He rounded out the top 10 last season at 11.3 rebounds per game. He has a strong knack for reading the ball off the rim and tracking it down anywhere on the floor. Combine that with his size, reach and athleticism, and he becomes a dangerous presence on the boards. He's active, covers ground well and doesn't take plays off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Next five: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arion Stuckey, Bellevue</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brady Johnson, Shelby Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peyton Higginbotham, Caldwell County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2170505' first='Logan' last='Wring'], Livingston Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Branson Williams, Monroe County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->