Walter Tavares continues to write his name into EuroLeague history. The Real Madrid center has become the competition’s all-time leading rebounder after reaching 2,016 rebounds, surpassing the previous record held by Paulius Jankunas (2,010). Tavares achieved the milestone by pulling down 11 rebounds in the victory over Maccabi.

After the game, the Cape Verdean big man expressed his emotion at the achievement. “It means a lot to me, I still can’t believe it. I didn’t expect to reach this number so soon. Surpassing Felipe Reyes, who for me is the best rebounder, and Jankunas makes me very happy. I just want to keep going like this until the end of my career,” he said.

Tavares also underlined what it means to achieve such a record wearing white. “Leaving your mark at a club as big as Real Madrid is something very special. Setting records here is not the same as doing it anywhere else. This will stay with me forever.”

The feat is even more impressive given the context. Tavares reached the top of the rebounding charts in just 297 EuroLeague games, averaging 6.7 rebounds per game, which is 95 fewer games than Jankunas needed. He is also the only player among the top rebounders to achieve this record with a single club, Real Madrid. His best rebounding performance in a single game came against Valencia Basket on January 11, 2024, when he collected 19 rebounds.

In addition to this milestone, Tavares is already the EuroLeague’s all-time leader in blocks. Another Real Madrid legend, Felipe Reyes, currently sits fifth on the all-time rebounding list.

EuroLeague All-Time Leading Rebounders

1. Walter Tavares (Real Madrid): 2,016 rebounds in 297 games

2. Paulius Jankunas (Zalgiris / Khimki): 2,010 rebounds in 392 games

3. Kyle Hines (Brose, Olympiacos, CSKA, Milan): 1,855 rebounds in 425 games

4. Jan Vesely (Partizan, Fenerbahce, Barcelona): 1,838 rebounds in 394 games

5. Felipe Reyes (Real Madrid / Estudiantes): 1,799 rebounds in 357 games

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