Rebounding is one of the most critical and often overlooked aspects of the game of basketball. The ability to control the boards can change the outcome of a game — turning defensive stops into fast breaks and missed shots into second-chance points. This season, several Arizona High School standouts made their presence known in the paint. Whether it was through sheer size, relentless effort or impeccable timing, these players consistently crashed the glass and anchored their teams down low.
According to MaxPreps.com, here are the top rebounders across the state for the 2024–2025 high school basketball season:
Top 3 Rebounders in Arizona High School Basketball
| Rank | Player | School | Rebounds Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Steward | Marcos de Niza | 15.2 |
| 1 | Damarae Dosela | Fort Thomas | 15.2 |
| 3 | Nathan Harris | Santa Cruz Valley | 14.9 |
Marcos De Niza's 6-foot-8, 200-pound senior James Steward (NAU signee) was a force inside all season, using his athleticism and timing to control both ends of the floor. Steward is one of the state's best overall talents and especially in the AIA, as he has excellent size, athleticism and presence on the floor. While many other prospects in Arizona's 2025 Class received much more recruiting attention, Steward soared below the recruiting radar for some time, before receiving a nice offer from Northern Arizona. Steward was impressive all season, and led the state in rebounds with an eye-popping average of 15.2 rebounds per game.
Junior post Damarae Dosela powered Fort Thomas inside the paint with his high motor and physical presence. Dosela tied James Steward with also an amazing 15.2 rebounds per/game this season, while also averaging 11.6 points for the 1A program, Fort Thomas.
Santa Cruz Valley's 6-foot-3 senior Nathan Harris rounded out the state's top three - consistently pulling down nearly 15 boards per game, while battling night in and night out in the paint.
These three players demonstrated the importance of rebounding as a game-changing skill and showcased their value as foundational pieces for their teams’ success. While scorers often get the spotlight, it’s players like Steward, Dosela, and Harris who do the dirty work that leads to championships. Their impact on the boards doesn’t just show up in stat sheets, it’s felt in momentum shifts, second chances and locked-down possessions. As Arizona high school basketball continues to grow in talent and competition, these rebounders stood tall (literally and figuratively) this season, as some of the most valuable players on the court for their respective teams.
