24. Andre Drummond (2013-Present)

As gifted a rebounder as there’s ever been, that’s a stat category Andre Drummond has led the league in twice so far in his career. But what elevates him to elite status is when you realize he’s averaged 21.2 total rebounds per 48 played in his career, which is the best average of any player since 1973.

This 6-foot 11-inch monster has also averaged a double-double for his career, as you’ll notice nearly everyone on this list has, putting up 13.9 points and 13.5 rebounds per game since 2013. Drummond is also a two-time All-Star whose talents have unfortunately been spent on a Detroit Pistons team that’s only made the playoffs once in his career.

23. Jack Sikma (1978-1991)

Arguably the greatest center to not be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, Jack Sikma dominated the paint with the Seattle SuperSonics and Milwaukee Bucks during his career. This big blondie averaged 15.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in a career that included seven All-Star Game appearances and an NBA title. Sikma was a great shooter, sinking about 85 percent of his free throws, which made him even more dangerous than other centers. Unlike other big men, Sikma was also nearly unbreakable, playing at least 80 games in 10 out of his 14 seasons in the NBA.

22. Dikembe Mutombo (1992-2009)

One of the most feared defenders in NBA history, regardless of position, Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year a record four times in his career. He stood at 7 feet 2 inches and was able to swat basically any ball that came anywhere near the basket. Mutombo averaged 4.3 blocks per 48 minutes played, which is sixth-best among all centers. While virtually everyone on this list could outscore him on any given night — he actually averaged more rebounds than points per game in his career — Mutombo would make them earn every basket.

21. Bob Lanier (1971-1984)

A dominant center who spent his entire career in the Midwest, Bob Lanier had his jersey number retired by both the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks. In 14 NBA seasons, Lanier averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game at the center position, and he shot better than 51 percent from the floor. From 1972 to 1982, Lanier was an All-Star eight times. In four playoff runs with the Pistons, he averaged 25.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, but despite that Herculean effort, never won a championship.

20. Dan Issel (1970-1984)

A record-setting stud at the University of Kentucky, Dan Issel went on to be one of the best offensive threats in ABA or NBA history. Issel spent six seasons in the ABA before the league merged with the NBA, winning a championship and becoming the league’s second-leading scorer of all time. He continued to be a monster on the paint in 10 years with the Denver Nuggets, averaging just shy of a double-double for his career, with 22.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Perhaps the most impressive stat from Issel’s Hall-of-Fame career? He only missed 24 games in 15 seasons in a physical era for players down low.

19. Alonzo Mourning (1993-2008)

In 15 years of service in the NBA, ‘Zo averaged 4.4 blocks per 48 minutes played, which is the fifth-highest mark ever among NBA centers. A number like that is what secured him two NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors and two selections on the All-Defensive first team. But Mourning wasn’t just a beast on defense, he also averaged 17.1 points per game to go along with 8.5 rebounds — averages that, unfortunately, took a significant hit in the final years of his career following a kidney transplant he had to undergo in 2003. Mourning was also a seven-time All-Star and won a title in 2006 with the Miami Heat, who retired his jersey number in 2009.

18. Robert Parish (1976-1997)

Talk about iron men. No one has ever played more NBA games than Robert Parish, as he appeared in 1,611 contests from 1977 to 1997. Playing in that many games is bound to net you some impressive stats and you’ll find Parish in the top 10 all-time in career rebounds and blocks, even if his per-game statistics are a little more pedestrian compared to others on this list at 14.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Parish played for four franchises but is most remembered with the Boston Celtics, where he won three rings in the 1980s. He was also a nine-time All-Star and won a fourth ring with the Chicago Bulls in his final season.

17. Dwight Howard (2005-Present)

With numbers that virtually guarantee him a spot in the Hall of Fame, Dwight Howard certainly deserves a spot among the best centers to ever play the game. A three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year — the second-most times anyone has earned that honor — Howard’s average of 12.7 defensive rebounds per 48 minutes played is fourth best all-time among centers.

But if per-game stats are more your style, his average of 12.6 total rebounds per game is the 10th best ever among all centers. He was also a reliable scorer if you could get the ball to him, as he made 58.3 percent of his shots per 48 minutes, which is a better average shooting percentage than Shaq.